Cheese during pregnancy - what can you eat (and not)?

Many pregnant women think they have to avoid cheese completely during pregnancy - but it's not! There are many cheeses that are completely safe to eat, as long as you know which varieties to choose and how to handle them.

The main reason why some cheeses should be avoided is the bacterium listeria, which in rare cases can cause infection in pregnant women.

In this guide we go through:

• What listeria is and why it is a risk factor
• Which cheeses you may eat when pregnant
• Which cheeses you should avoid
• How to handle cheese safely

What is listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can be found in some foods, especially unpasteurized cheeses. In healthy people, it rarely causes symptoms, but for pregnant women, in rare cases, it can adversely affect the fetus.

Listeria is naturally present in the environment and can survive even in refrigerator temperature and without oxygen - so it is particularly difficult to get rid of.

Is mozzarella safe during pregnancy?

Yes! Mozzarella is perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy, as long as it is made on pasteurized milk. This applies to both fresh mozzarella (on the pack) and the one you buy as an accompaniment to pizza or salad.

Cheese you can eat when you're pregnant

There are many cheeses you can safely enjoy, both cold and cooked.

• All hard cheese in chunks or slices (e.g. prästost, gouda, herrgård, grevé)
• Parmesan cheese and other aged cheeses
• Processed cheese and soft cheese (e.g. shrimp cheese, ham cheese, blue cheese in a tube)
• Fresh cheese like cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta
• Mozzarella (pasteurized)
• Halloumi
• Feta cheese (if it is pasteurized)
• Dessert tartar such as Gruyère, Comté and Manchego

Cheeses to avoid during pregnancy

There are some cheeses that may contain listeria, even if they are made from pasteurized milk. These cheeses should be avoided if eaten cold and unpasteurized:

• Brie cheese
• Camembert
• Goat (toast)
• Gorgonzola
• Taleggio
• Vacherol

However, if you heats these cheeses to 70 degrees or more, such as in the oven or on pizza, they are perfectly safe to eat.

Tips for handling cheese safely

• Storing cheese cold and well sealed.
• Avoid eating cheese that has been left out for a long time at room temperature.
• Always read the packaging - if it doesn't say that the milk is unpasteurized, you can assume that it is pasteurized.
• Prepare cheese in the oven - Heat kills listeria.

Dietary advice during pregnancy

Listeria is rare in Sweden, but it is still good to have basic knowledge of diet and nutrition:

• Eat a varied diet and keyhole labeled whenever possible.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid raw fish, raw meat and unpasteurized products.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about cheese during pregnancy

1. Can I eat mozzarella when pregnant?
Yes, mozzarella is safe as long as it is pasteurized - which it almost always is in Sweden.

2. Can you eat feta cheese?
Yes, if it is made with pasteurized milk (indicated on the packaging).

3. Is Parmesan cheese okay?
Yes, Parmesan is a hard cheese and safe to eat.

4. What happens if I accidentally eat unpasteurized cheese?
The risk of getting sick is very small. Contact your midwife if you develop a fever or stomach symptoms.

5. Can I eat brie or chèvre if I heat them?
Yes! When the cheese is heated to 70 degrees, any listeria dies.

6. Can you tell from the packaging if the cheese is pasteurized?
Yes, it's always indicated - if it's not, you can assume it's pasteurized.

Source: The National Food Agency.