Can You Eat Blue Cheese During Pregnancy?

 Lyndsay Hall Profile Photo
By Lyndsay Hall | Updated on Dec 8, 2023
Image for article Can You Eat Blue Cheese During Pregnancy?

Cheese lovers, prepare yourselves for some disappointment. Blue cheese is generally a no-no during pregnancy.

Surprisingly, this is because most blue cheese is made with unpasteurized milk1 , not because the cheese contains literal mold. Unpasteurized dairy products have a higher risk of passing along harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, which wouldn’t be great for you or your baby.

The good news is that there’s a potential loophole! Although it can be harder to find, pasteurized blue cheese is likely safe for consumption during pregnancy. Just check the product packaging to make sure that your cheese of choice meets these guidelines.

Most harmful bacteria can be killed when heated to a certain temperature, so it's also possible that you could get away with having an unpasteurized blue cheese baked on top of a pizza or cooked into a pasta dish. But pasteurized is always best.

Pregnant woman holding her stomach on a bed with a plant in the background

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  1. FoodSafety"People at Risk: Pregnant Women"Sep 25, 2020https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/pregnant-women#:~:text=Avoid%20Raw%20Milk%2C%20Raw%20Milk%20Soft%20Cheeses%2C%20and%20Other%20Raw%20Milk%20Products.


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Lyndsay Hall
Updated on Dec 8, 2023

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Can You Eat Blue Cheese During Pregnancy?

 Lyndsay Hall Profile Photo
By Lyndsay Hall | Updated on Dec 8, 2023
Image for article Can You Eat Blue Cheese During Pregnancy?

Cheese lovers, prepare yourselves for some disappointment. Blue cheese is generally a no-no during pregnancy.

Surprisingly, this is because most blue cheese is made with unpasteurized milk1 , not because the cheese contains literal mold. Unpasteurized dairy products have a higher risk of passing along harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, which wouldn’t be great for you or your baby.

The good news is that there’s a potential loophole! Although it can be harder to find, pasteurized blue cheese is likely safe for consumption during pregnancy. Just check the product packaging to make sure that your cheese of choice meets these guidelines.

Most harmful bacteria can be killed when heated to a certain temperature, so it's also possible that you could get away with having an unpasteurized blue cheese baked on top of a pizza or cooked into a pasta dish. But pasteurized is always best.

Pregnant woman holding her stomach on a bed with a plant in the background

Want evidence-based health & wellness advice for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum delivered to your inbox?

Your privacy is important to us. By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Expectful uses only high-quality sources, including academic research institutions, medical associations, and subject matter experts.

  1. FoodSafety"People at Risk: Pregnant Women"Sep 25, 2020https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/pregnant-women#:~:text=Avoid%20Raw%20Milk%2C%20Raw%20Milk%20Soft%20Cheeses%2C%20and%20Other%20Raw%20Milk%20Products.


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