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Why Are Pregnant Women Told to Avoid Feta Cheese?

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.

Medically reviewed by: Rupal Christine Gupta, MD

Date reviewed: April 2015

Why Are Pregnant Women Told to Avoid Feta Cheese?

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