Which cheeses are safe during pregnancy?
Brie is off the menu — but in UK guidance, even unpasteurised cheddar is fine.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Christopher Sterling, obstetrician ·
The short answer
Avoid soft mould-ripened cheeses (brie, camembert, rinded goat’s cheese) and soft blue cheeses unless cooked until steaming. Hard cheeses and pasteurised soft cheeses without a white rind — mozzarella, feta, halloumi, cottage and cream cheese — are fine.
Why it matters
Soft, moist, less acidic cheeses give listeria the perfect place to grow. That includes cheeses with a white rind (brie, camembert, chèvre) and soft blue-veined cheeses (gorgonzola, roquefort, danish blue).
Hard cheeses such as cheddar, parmesan and gruyère contain much less water, so bacteria struggle to survive. That’s why UK guidance says they’re fine even if made with unpasteurised milk.
In the US, soft Latin-style cheeses like queso fresco have been linked to listeria outbreaks — even some made with pasteurised milk, because contamination can happen after pasteurisation.
What to do
- Enjoy hard cheeses and pasteurised mozzarella, feta, halloumi, paneer, ricotta, cream cheese and cottage cheese.
- Bake the brie: soft and blue cheeses are safe when cooked until steaming hot.
- Avoid all unpasteurised soft cheeses, cooked or not, unless heated until steaming.
- Be cautious with queso fresco and similar fresh cheeses in the US.
Common questions
Is baked camembert safe during pregnancy?
Yes, if it is cooked until steaming hot all the way through. Heat kills listeria.
Can I eat parmesan while pregnant?
Yes. Parmesan is a hard cheese and is considered safe in pregnancy.
Sources
Medically reviewed by Dr. Christopher Sterling, obstetrician, on against the sources above. Guidance can differ between countries — always follow the advice of your own midwife, doctor or pharmacist. Medical disclaimer.
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