Randy Chandler
Blue cheese is a delicious, creamy cheese with a bold flavour and a crumbly texture that is often enjoyed in salads, melted on steak, or on its own. It is a soft, mould-ripened cheese that can be made with pasteurized or unpasteurized milk. Unpasteurized blue cheese is often referred to as 'raw' cheese and is usually artisanal or imported. While blue cheese is a common craving for pregnant women, unpasteurized blue cheese carries risks that should be avoided during pregnancy, as it can contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria, which can cause Listeriosis and lead to serious health complications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of milk | Raw (unpasteurized) cows' milk |
| Taste | Bold with hints of sweet milk and a peppery finish |
| Texture | Creamy |
| Food combinations | Salads, steaks, burgers, crackers, white sauce fish recipes |
| Drinks combinations | Red wine like Cabernet and Zinfandel, malt-centric beers, vintage port |
| Risks | Listeria, a bacteria that can cause a serious infection known as Listeriosis, which is risky for pregnant women |
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What You'll Learn
Unpasteurized blue cheese is made with raw milk
In the United States, almost all fresh, unaged, rindless cheeses, such as mozzarella, feta, and ricotta, are pasteurized. Additionally, 99% of soft, creamy, spreadable cheeses are also pasteurized, including Brie and Camembert. However, longer-aged cheeses may or may not be pasteurized, and blue cheese is one variety that can be found in both raw and pasteurized forms.
Artisanal and imported blue cheeses are more likely to be made from raw milk and are therefore unpasteurized. When consuming blue cheese, especially during pregnancy, it is important to check the label to ensure it is pasteurized. This can be done by looking for the word "pasteurized" on the packaging or by asking at restaurants when ordering dishes containing blue cheese.
While unpasteurized blue cheese may be risky for pregnant women, it is important to note that some types of hard cheeses, such as Swiss-style Gruyère or Italian-style Parmigiano-Reggiano, have been deemed equally safe as cheeses made from pasteurized milk, despite being made from raw milk. These cheeses have a low risk of carrying harmful bacteria due to their long aging process.
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It can contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria
Unpasteurized blue cheese is made from raw, unpasteurized milk. While it has a bold, addictive flavor with hints of sweet milk and a peppery finish, it can also contain harmful bacteria such as Listeria. Listeria monocytogenes is a widely distributed environmental bacterium that can grow at refrigeration temperatures. It is often found in soil, water, and animal feces.
Listeriosis, the infection caused by the Listeria bacteria, can be very serious, and even fatal, for certain vulnerable groups. These include pregnant women, people over 65, infants, and those with weakened immune systems. In fact, listeriosis can be fatal to unborn babies, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, and sensitivity to light. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, it can cause bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening complication.
The risk of listeriosis from blue cheese is considered very low, especially in the UK, where the majority of blue cheeses for sale are made from pasteurized milk. However, blue cheese can become contaminated with Listeria at different stages of the cheese-making process, including from the raw milk or brine used, or during processing, handling, cutting, and packaging. In the US, two-thirds of listeriosis outbreaks from 1998 to 2014 were linked to Latin-style soft cheese, often affecting pregnant Hispanic women and their newborns. Another study from 2000 to 2001 found L. monocytogenes in 1.3% of cheeses made from unlabeled or unpasteurized milk and 0.5% of cheeses from pasteurized milk.
To reduce the risk of listeriosis, vulnerable individuals should avoid unpasteurized blue cheese and opt for pasteurized varieties. Pasteurization kills L. monocytogenes, although it's important to note that pasteurized cheese can still become contaminated due to inadequate hygiene practices after pasteurization.
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Listeria can cause Listeriosis, which is dangerous for pregnant women
Blue cheese is available in both pasteurized and unpasteurized forms. Unpasteurized blue cheese is made from raw, non-pasteurized milk. Pasteurization is the process of heating certain foods to a specific temperature for a set period to kill harmful bacteria.
Listeria is a harmful type of bacteria that can be found in refrigerated, ready-to-eat foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, and produce. It can also be present in animal-derived foods, as animals can carry the bacteria without showing symptoms. Listeria can cause a disease called Listeriosis, which can lead to serious health complications, especially for pregnant women.
Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get Listeriosis than other healthy adults, as their immune systems are altered during pregnancy, making it harder to fight off infections. Listeriosis can cause mild, flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, diarrhea, upset stomach, stiff neck, headache, confusion, or loss of balance. However, many pregnant women may not exhibit any symptoms at all. Symptoms may appear as late as 2 months after consuming contaminated food, and even without symptoms, the infection can be passed to the fetus.
Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and infant death. Late-term fetuses infected with Listeriosis may develop a range of health problems, including intellectual disabilities, paralysis, seizures, blindness, or impairments of the brain, heart, or kidneys. These health issues can be lifelong.
To prevent Listeriosis, pregnant women should avoid consuming raw or undercooked seafood, eggs, meat, and poultry. They should also stay away from unpasteurized dairy products, including certain types of cheeses, such as queso fresco, which are highly susceptible to Listeria contamination. Cooking and pasteurization are the only ways to kill Listeria effectively.
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It is banned in Australia and New Zealand
Unpasteurized blue cheese is made from raw milk that has not been processed by being held at a temperature of at least 64.5°C for at least 16 seconds. It is often considered to have a unique and authentic flavour due to its origin or terroir, which includes factors such as soil, climate, season, pasture, tradition, culture, and the skills of the cheesemaker.
Unpasteurized blue cheese is banned in Australia and New Zealand due to food safety concerns. The high moisture content of unpasteurized cheese increases the risk of foodborne illnesses, and the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code prohibits the import or sale of nearly all unpasteurized cheeses. This ban has been a controversial issue for cheesemakers, with industrial producers citing potential health risks associated with raw milk and artisan cheesemakers defending their traditional production methods.
In the late 1990s, Australian national food standards sought to prohibit all raw-milk cheese, sparking diplomatic protests from European producers. As a result, exemptions were made for certain cheeses, such as Gruyère, Emmenthal, and Sbrinz, and imported hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and Grana Padano. However, requests to review the ban on local raw-milk cheese production were rejected. The seizure of a shipment of Roquefort, a popular French raw-milk cheese, in 2002 further highlighted the strictness of the ban.
While Australia and New Zealand have similar restrictions on unpasteurized cheese, it is important to note that regulations can change over time. For example, in December 2023, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) approved changes to allow the local production and sale of raw-milk cheese within Australia, indicating a potential shift in the regulatory landscape.
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It is usually safe if made from pasteurized milk
Blue cheese is a common craving during pregnancy, but soft and mold-ripened varieties like blue cheese often raise concerns. Blue cheese can be safe, but only if it is made from pasteurized milk. The process of pasteurization involves heating milk to a temperature that kills harmful bacteria, including Listeria, which can be dangerous during pregnancy. Listeria can cause a serious infection known as Listeriosis, which is especially risky for pregnant women and can lead to complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth.
Not all blue cheese is pasteurized, and some varieties, especially artisanal or imported ones, are often made from raw (unpasteurized) milk. To ensure the blue cheese you’re consuming is safe, it is important to check the label and look for the word "pasteurized" on the packaging. If you’re eating out, you can ask whether the blue cheese used is pasteurized, especially when ordering salads or dishes that include blue cheese. It is generally recommended to avoid unmarked cheeses as the absence of clear indications of pasteurization means it is safest to avoid them.
In the United States, nearly all fresh (unaged, rindless) cheese, such as mozzarella, fresh goat cheese, ricotta, or feta, is pasteurized. This also includes 99% of soft, creamy, spreadable cheeses like Laughing Cow, Brie, Camembert, or Taleggio. Longer-aged cheeses may or may not be pasteurized, and cheddar, Manchego, and blue cheeses are readily available in both raw and pasteurized forms. It is worth noting that Australia and New Zealand prohibit the import or sale of nearly all unpasteurized cheeses, regardless of age.
While unpasteurized blue cheese can be risky during pregnancy, it is important to note that the risks associated with Listeria are primarily a concern for those who are pregnant or have a compromised immune system. For individuals who are not pregnant and generally healthy, the risk of contracting Listeriosis from unpasteurized blue cheese is relatively low. However, it is always a good idea to check the labels and opt for pasteurized options when in doubt.
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Frequently asked questions
Unpasteurized blue cheese is blue cheese that is made from raw milk that has not been heated to kill harmful bacteria.
Unpasteurized blue cheese can harbor harmful bacteria, including Listeria, which can cause a serious infection known as Listeriosis. Listeriosis can lead to severe complications, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious infections in newborns.
While Listeriosis can affect anyone, it poses a particular risk to pregnant women and their babies.
To avoid unpasteurized blue cheese, always check the label. Look for the word "pasteurized" on the packaging. If the cheese doesn't indicate that it's pasteurized, it's best to avoid it during pregnancy.
Yes, hard cheeses are less likely to carry harmful bacteria. Some examples include Swiss-style hard cheeses like Gruyère or Comté, and Italian-style grana cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano.
