Are Soft Cheeses Safe During Pregnancy?

You’ve probably heard that it’s eating soft cheese during pregnancy can be harmful. It’s not the cheese itself that can be harmful; it’s the process that’s used to make it. Before you chow down on cheese, check the ingredient label and make sure it’s made from pasteurized milk.

Unpasteurized cheeses can contain disease-spreading organisms that’ll put you and baby at a higher risk for getting sick. They also can carry listeria monocytogenes, deadly bacterium that are more likely to affect pregnant women. Pasteurization is what kills this nasty bacteria (along with other bad organisms). Varieties like Brie, feta and goat cheese are most likely to be pasteurized in the United States, but it’s always worth it to double check. Just make sure to read the label before you buy!

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.