Frederic Melton
Feta cheese is a popular ingredient in salads and veggie dishes, but is it safe for pregnant women to eat? The main concern is the presence of harmful bacteria, especially Listeria, which can be detrimental to the unborn baby. To address this, pasteurization—a process of heat-treating milk to destroy pathogens—is employed. In the US, nearly all fresh, unaged, rindless cheeses like feta are pasteurized, and the FDA advises pregnant women to consume only pasteurized cheese. However, even pasteurized cheese can be contaminated post-production, and soft cheeses like feta are more susceptible to bacterial growth. So, which brands of feta cheese are safe for pregnant women? Athenos, for example, clearly states that its feta is made with pasteurized milk. While it's challenging to find unpasteurized cheese in the US, pregnant women should still be cautious and opt for clearly labelled pasteurized products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pasteurization | Pasteurization is the process of heat-treating milk to destroy harmful pathogens, such as Salmonella. |
| Feta Cheese and Pregnancy | The general advice is to avoid unpasteurized cheeses and opt for pasteurized ones. Feta cheese made from pasteurized milk is likely safe to eat during pregnancy. |
| Availability of Pasteurized Feta Cheese | In the US, almost all cheeses are pasteurized. Athenos is a brand of feta cheese that is made with pasteurized part-skim milk. |
| Risks of Unpasteurized Cheese | Even pasteurized cheese can be contaminated by Listeria or other bacteria during the supply chain. Listeria is especially harmful to pregnant women, individuals over 65, and those with compromised immune systems. |
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What You'll Learn
Athenos feta cheese is pasteurized
Feta cheese is a soft cheese that is often consumed in salads and with vegetables. In the United States, almost all cheeses are pasteurized, and feta cheese is no exception. Athenos, a popular brand of feta cheese, is made with pasteurized part-skim milk. This information is clearly stated on both the Athenos website and the cheese container.
Pasteurization is a process of heat-treating milk to destroy harmful pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria. In the US, fresh, unaged, and rindless cheeses like feta are typically pasteurized by law. This process ensures the safety of the cheese for consumption, especially during pregnancy when certain soft cheeses are usually considered off-limits due to the risk of foodborne illnesses.
The Athenos brand of feta cheese is a safe and tasty option for those who enjoy feta cheese. It can be easily found in grocery stores and is a great addition to salads, veggies, and various other dishes. The pasteurization process ensures that consumers can enjoy the cheese without worrying about potential health risks associated with unpasteurized products.
While most feta cheese brands in the US are likely to be pasteurized, it is always a good idea to check the label if there is any doubt. Consumers should be aware that, even when pasteurized, cheese can still become contaminated by pathogens during the supply chain. However, the risk of this is relatively low, and the benefits of enjoying a delicious and nutritious cheese like feta outweigh the potential risks for most consumers.
In summary, Athenos feta cheese is pasteurized, and this makes it a safe and delicious choice for consumers. This brand of feta cheese can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet and is a convenient option for those looking for a pasteurized feta option.
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In the US, most feta cheese is pasteurized
In the United States, most feta cheese is pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process of heat-treating milk to destroy potentially harmful pathogens, such as Salmonella, that the milk may contain. According to FDA rules from 1949, these pathogens die off in cheese during 60 days of aging, hence the 60-day rule for cheese. This means that in the US, nearly all fresh (unaged, rindless) cheeses, like mozzarella, fresh goat cheese, ricotta, or feta, are pasteurized.
In the US, it is highly unlikely that a restaurant or grocery store would serve unpasteurized cheese. One source notes that restaurants are required by law to serve pasteurized cheese. Another source states that it would be hard to find unpasteurized cheese even in regular grocery stores.
However, it is important to note that even when pasteurized, cheese can become contaminated by Listeria, Salmonella, or other pathogens after it is made. Secondary contamination can occur farther down the supply chain. Therefore, it is recommended to only consume cheese with a clear label that reads "made from pasteurized milk." This is especially important for pregnant women, as Listeria monocytogenes can be very harmful to unborn babies.
One brand of pasteurized feta cheese that a source mentions is Athenos, which clearly states on its website and container that it is made with pasteurized part-skim milk.
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In the US, restaurants are legally required to serve pasteurized cheese
In terms of feta cheese, specifically, it is usually pasteurized in the US. One source states that nearly all fresh, rindless cheeses like feta are pasteurized. However, another source states that feta is off-limits to pregnant women due to it being unpasteurized, so it is unclear whether this is a general or specific recommendation. It is always worth checking the label, but it seems that most feta cheese in the US is pasteurized.
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Feta cheese made from pasteurized milk is safe to eat during pregnancy
Feta cheese is a soft cheese that is generally safe to eat during pregnancy, provided it is made from pasteurized milk. Pasteurization is a process that involves heating milk to a specific temperature to destroy potentially harmful pathogens, including Salmonella and Listeria. Listeria can cause miscarriage, intrauterine infection, stillbirth, preterm labor, and serious developmental problems for the baby.
In the United States, nearly all fresh (unaged, rindless) cheese, including feta, is pasteurized. However, it is always good to check the label to confirm that the feta cheese you are consuming is, in fact, pasteurized. Some brands of feta cheese that are made with pasteurized milk include Athenos and Cabot Clothbound.
While feta cheese made from pasteurized milk is generally safe during pregnancy, it is still important to practice moderation. Feta cheese is high in sodium and saturated fat, so a tablespoon or two is usually enough to satisfy a craving. Cooking feta cheese can further reduce the risk of bacteria, but it is still important to ensure proper storage and handling to minimize the risk of contamination.
It is worth noting that, even when pasteurized, feta cheese can become contaminated with Listeria or other pathogens during the supply chain. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious when eating out and always ask if the feta cheese used in the dish is made from pasteurized milk. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the factory producing the cheese meets sanitary conditions to minimize the risk of bacterial contamination.
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Soft cheeses are more likely to contain harmful bacteria
Cheese is generally considered a safe and nutritious food, but foodborne illnesses linked to cheese consumption have occurred. Soft cheeses, which are high in moisture, are more likely to be contaminated than hard cheeses. This is because soft cheeses are more hospitable environments for pathogens due to their high moisture content. Bacteria need moisture to grow and also thrive in low-acid and low-salt environments.
Several microbial risk assessments have been conducted on soft cheeses, focusing on the correlations between pathogenic bacteria and soft cheese. Cheese-associated foodborne illnesses have been attributed to the consumption of soft cheeses, with the principal organisms associated with these outbreaks being Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and enteropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli. Listeria, in particular, has been linked to many kinds of soft cheeses, including queso fresco and Brie.
Raw (unpasteurized) milk and products made from it, including cheese, can be contaminated with Listeria and other harmful bacteria. In the United States, nearly all fresh (unaged, rindless) cheese, including feta, is pasteurized. However, it is important to note that even when pasteurized, cheese can become contaminated by Listeria or other pathogens after it is made through secondary contamination down the supply chain. Therefore, it is recommended to buy individual rounds of pasteurized cheese rather than pieces cut from a larger wheel to avoid cross-contamination.
To ensure food safety, it is recommended to choose pasteurized milk and dairy products. Pasteurization is the process of heat-treating milk to destroy potentially harmful pathogens. In the United States, there is a 60-day rule for cheese, which states that if pathogens are present in milk, they will die off during 60 days of aging. This means that pasteurized choices will be disproportionately soft cheeses, as they are younger and higher in moisture.
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Frequently asked questions
In the US, almost all feta cheese is pasteurized. Athenos is one brand of feta cheese that is made with pasteurized milk.
Pasteurization is the process of heat-treating milk to destroy harmful pathogens, such as Salmonella and Listeria, which can be dangerous to those with weakened immune systems, such as pregnant women.
In the US, restaurants are required by law to serve pasteurized cheese. You can also check the label on the cheese to see if it is made with pasteurized milk.
