Soft Cheese, Unpasteurized

Consuming unpasteurized soft cheese during pregnancy is considered harmful and should be strictly avoided. Unpasteurized soft cheeses can pose significant health risks due to the potential presence of harmful bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to severe complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, or serious illness in newborns. Unpasteurized soft cheeses are at a higher risk of harboring Listeria and other dangerous pathogens because they have not undergone the pasteurization process, which involves heating the cheese to kill harmful bacteria.

To protect your health and the health of your developing baby:

1. Refrain from consuming any soft cheese that is labeled as unpasteurized or made from raw milk.
2. Always check product labels to confirm that soft cheeses are pasteurized before consumption.
3. Choose pasteurized soft cheese options, which are safe for pregnancy and provide valuable nutrients.

Avoiding unpasteurized soft cheeses is essential to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Updated: 03.11.21

1. Cheese During Pregnancy – What’s Safe and What’s Not by American Pregnancy Association
2. Listeria and Foodborne Illness in Pregnancy by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)