Cheese Consumption During Pregnancy: What To Avoid

When it comes to pregnancy, there are a lot of dos and don'ts, and one of the most common concerns is whether or not it is safe to consume cheese. While most types of cheese are safe to consume during pregnancy, there are certain types of cheese that should be avoided to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses that can be harmful to both mother and baby. So, what kind of cheese is not allowed during pregnancy, and why?

Cheeses to Avoid During Pregnancy

Pasteurized cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy

It is generally safe to eat pasteurized cheese while pregnant. In fact, most of the cheeses you'll find on the shelves in the United States are safe to consume, including many soft cheeses that you may traditionally associate with being unsafe.

Pasteurization is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill off harmful bacteria.

Unpasteurized cheeses may harbor E. coli or Listeria, which are harmful strains of bacteria that can make you sick with food poisoning.

Pregnant people are about 10 times more likely than other adults to develop listeriosis, a serious infection that can be caused by Listeria bacteria. In fact, pregnant people make up about 1 out of every 6 people who develop this infection.

While most infections are mild, there are complications that may become life-threatening. Worst-case scenario, you could develop a blood infection or even meningitis, which is the inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain. This is rare.

What’s more concerning is that you may pass on the illness to your baby even if you don’t feel sick yourself. Complications for the baby include miscarriage, premature birth, illness, or even infant death from infection.

Always read labels carefully and look for the word "pasteurized" when choosing cheeses. In general, safe cheeses will be found in the standard dairy cooler area of your grocery store.

Otherwise, it’s a good idea to buy individual blocks or bags of shredded cheese versus having your cheese cut from a wheel (you might risk cross-contamination this way).

Safe varieties include but are not limited to:

• Any other cheeses (cow, goat, sheep) made using pasteurized milk
• Processed mozzarella
• Cottage cheese
• Mozzarella
• Feta
• Cream cheese
• Paneer
• Ricotta
• Halloumi
• Goat's cheese without a white coating on the outside (rind)
• Processed cheese spreads

Unpasteurized cheese is not safe to eat during pregnancy

Pregnant women are advised to avoid unpasteurized cheese as it may contain Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause Listeria (listeriosis), a serious infection that can harm your baby. This is because their immune system is weakened during pregnancy, making them more susceptible to infection.

Unpasteurized cheese is more likely to encourage the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause Listeria. This bacteria can cause a serious infection called listeriosis, which can be passed on to an unborn baby and lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labour, or death in newborns. Listeria is especially dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause spontaneous abortion or make a newborn baby very unwell.

Listeria is killed when heated to 165º, so it's safe to eat unpasteurized cheese in a cooked format. However, it's best to avoid unpasteurized cheese altogether during pregnancy as it's not worth the risk.

In the United States, nearly all fresh (unaged, rindless) cheese, such as mozzarella, feta, and ricotta, is pasteurized. This also includes 99% of soft, creamy, spreadable cheeses like Brie and Camembert. However, longer-aged cheeses may or may not be pasteurized, and you may encounter unpasteurized cheese at a farmer's market or if you buy imported cheese.

To stay safe, pregnant women should only eat hard cheese or soft cheese that is clearly labelled as pasteurized. Hard cheese, such as cheddar or Parmesan, is the safest choice during pregnancy as it contains less moisture than soft cheese, reducing the odds of bacterial growth. Pasteurized cheese is also a good source of protein and calcium, promoting healthy growth in the baby.

Hard cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy

When it comes to pregnancy, there are a lot of dos and don'ts, and cheese is one of those foods that often raises questions. The good news is that hard cheese is generally safe to eat during pregnancy, and it can be a great source of protein and calcium, which are important for both you and your baby's health.

During pregnancy, it's recommended to avoid unpasteurized soft cheeses due to the risk of Listeria contamination. Listeria is a bacteria that can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labour, or even death in newborns. However, hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Gruyere, and Parmesan, are typically made with pasteurized milk, which involves heating the milk to kill harmful bacteria like Listeria. This makes them a safer option for pregnant women.

Hard cheeses have lower moisture content compared to soft cheeses, which creates an unfavourable environment for the growth of Listeria. Even if a hard cheese is made with unpasteurized milk, the low moisture content makes it less likely for bacteria to grow and multiply.

In addition to hard cheeses, there are also many pasteurized soft cheeses that are safe to consume during pregnancy. These include processed mozzarella, cottage cheese, ricotta, and some feta cheeses. It's always important to check the labels to ensure the cheese is made with pasteurized milk.

While hard cheese is a safer option, it's still important to consume it in moderation as it can be high in sodium and saturated fat. The recommended portion size for cheese is 1 ½ ounces, which is roughly the size of your thumb.

Overall, while there are some cheeses that should be avoided during pregnancy, hard cheese is generally safe to enjoy in moderation. It's always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider if you have any specific questions or concerns about your diet during pregnancy.

Soft cheese is not safe to eat during pregnancy

Soft cheese is often singled out as a food to avoid during pregnancy. This is because soft cheeses, whether pasteurised or unpasteurised, tend to have more moisture, creating an environment where the Listeria bacteria can grow. Listeria can cause listeriosis, an infection that can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labour, or death in newborns.

Pasteurisation is a process that heats food to a certain temperature to kill harmful bacteria. In the case of milk, pasteurisation involves heating the milk to a specific temperature to destroy potentially harmful bacteria such as Salmonella.

Hard cheeses such as cheddar or Parmesan are generally considered safe to eat during pregnancy, as they contain less moisture than soft cheese, reducing the risk of bacterial growth even if the cheese is made from unpasteurised milk. Pasteurised cheese is also usually safe to consume during pregnancy, as long as it is clearly labelled as such. Nearly all cheeses made in the United States, for example, are pasteurised by default.

If you're at a restaurant or can't check the label of a cheese, it's generally safe to eat any cheese that's been heated until it's steaming hot, such as cheese on a pizza or in a grilled cheese sandwich. Cooking cheese until it's steaming hot kills bacteria, reducing the risk of listeriosis.

Unpasteurised cheese may contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli or Listeria, which can cause food poisoning. Pregnant people are at a higher risk of developing foodborne illnesses, and while most infections are mild, there is a chance of life-threatening complications. In rare cases, listeriosis can lead to a blood infection or meningitis, and it can also be passed on to the baby, potentially causing miscarriage, premature birth, illness, or even infant death.

High-temperature cooking kills bacteria in cheese

When it comes to pregnancy, it is generally advised to avoid unpasteurized cheeses. This is because the bacteria Listeria, which can cause the infection listeriosis, may be present in these cheeses. Listeriosis can have severe consequences for both mother and baby, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm labour, and newborn death.

However, it is important to note that cooking cheese until it is steaming hot kills the bacteria, reducing the risk of listeriosis. High-temperature cooking is an effective way to make cheese safe for pregnant women to consume. The recommended temperature for killing Listeria is 165°F (74°C). This means that even cheeses that are typically unpasteurized and risky for pregnant women can be safely consumed if cooked properly.

Cheeses that are safe to eat when cooked to a high temperature include soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, and chèvre, as well as blue-veined cheeses like Danish blue and gorgonzola. It is important to ensure that the cheese is heated thoroughly and is completely hot, not just melted.

While most cheeses sold in the United States are pasteurized, there may be some unpasteurized cheeses encountered at farmer's markets or imported from other countries. It is always important to read labels carefully and look for the word "pasteurized" when choosing cheeses during pregnancy.

In summary, high-temperature cooking effectively kills bacteria in cheese, making it safe for pregnant women to consume. However, it is still recommended to choose pasteurized cheeses whenever possible and to avoid high-risk unpasteurized cheeses during pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions