Can I eat cream cheese while pregnant?
Pasteurized cream cheese is generally considered safe during pregnancy. The main concern with soft cheeses is listeria, a germ that comes from unpasteurized milk, so the label matters.
Key points
- Pasteurized cream cheese is generally considered fine in pregnancy.
- Unpasteurized soft cheeses carry a listeria risk and are usually avoided.
- Ask your doctor or midwife if you have questions about a specific food.
Why it matters
Pregnancy can make you more prone to listeria, a germ that can cause serious illness in pregnancy. Listeria can be found in some foods made with unpasteurized milk.
Pasteurization heats milk to kill germs. The FDA lists unpasteurized soft cheeses as a food pregnant people are advised to avoid.
What is OK and what is not
- Generally considered OK: cream cheese made from pasteurized milk, including most store-bought brands in the US.
- Usually avoided: soft cheeses made from unpasteurized (raw) milk, which are sometimes sold at farmers markets, specialty shops, or imported from other countries.
- Worth a question: homemade or fresh cheeses where you cannot confirm how the milk was processed.
Practical tips
Many providers suggest checking the label for the word “pasteurized” before buying a soft cheese.
Storing cream cheese in the refrigerator and keeping track of how long it has been opened can also help limit germ growth, as the FDA food safety guidance describes.
Cream cheese in bagels, dips, or cheesecake that has been baked is often treated differently than cold cream cheese. Your provider can help you sort out the details.
If you already ate it
Eating cream cheese once is not usually a cause for alarm if it was pasteurized. If it was unpasteurized, or if the cheese had been stored at room temperature for a long time, it is a good idea to mention it to your provider at your next visit.
Most people who eat a soft cheese with listeria do not get sick, but early symptoms can be mild and easy to miss, so it helps to keep an eye out for the warning signs below.
When to contact your provider
Contact your doctor, midwife, or a clinic right away if you have a fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, or a stiff neck after eating a soft cheese. These can be signs of listeria infection.
Questions people ask
Is cream cheese safe to eat during pregnancy?
Pasteurized cream cheese is generally considered safe during pregnancy. The main concern is listeria in unpasteurized dairy, so checking the label is a helpful step.
Can you eat cream cheese while pregnant if it is not pasteurized?
Unpasteurized cream cheese is usually avoided during pregnancy because of listeria risk. Ask your doctor or midwife about any specific product you are unsure about.
Can I eat cream cheese when I am pregnant at room temperature?
Cream cheese left out for long periods can allow germs to grow. Keeping it refrigerated and not leaving it out for long stretches is generally advised by food safety guidance.
Is baked cream cheese, like in cheesecake, safe in pregnancy?
Baked foods made with cream cheese are often viewed differently than cold cream cheese, since heating can kill germs. Ask your provider if you have questions about a specific recipe.
More questions people ask
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Sources
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