I love to eat cheese but I'm pregnant. And I know that there are some cheeses
that pregnant women shouldn't eat. Which ones should I avoid?
– Louise
Soft, unpasteurized cheeses like feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, and
goat — as well as ready-to-eat meats like hot dogs and deli meats — may
contain Listeria, bacteria that cause mild flu-like symptoms in most adults
but can be very dangerous for unborn babies. Listeriosis,
the infection caused by the bacteria, can cause miscarriage, premature birth, or severe
illness or death of a newborn.
When made from pasteurized milk, most soft cheeses are considered safe to eat during
pregnancy. That goes for other cheeses made from pasteurized milk too, such as cheddar,
American, cottage, and cream cheeses. Hard cheeses are generally considered safe in
pregnancy.
Whatever you buy, always make sure the label says "pasteurized" on it, and talk
to your doctor if you aren't sure about a certain cheese.
Date reviewed: April 2015
