Can you eat blue cheese while pregnant?
Blue cheese made from unpasteurized milk is generally advised against during pregnancy because of listeria risk. Blue cheese made from pasteurized milk is often considered acceptable, but ask your provider.
Key points
- Blue-veined cheeses made from unpasteurized milk are generally advised against in pregnancy.
- Pasteurized blue cheese is often considered a lower-risk choice, but check with your provider.
- Call your provider right away if you have fever, chills, or muscle aches after eating soft cheese.
Why it matters
Soft cheeses can sometimes carry Listeria, a germ that can cause serious illness in pregnancy. Pregnancy makes the immune system work differently, so this infection is more dangerous for pregnant people and can affect the baby.
The FDA lists blue-veined cheeses among the soft cheeses pregnant people are generally advised to avoid unless they are clearly labeled as made from pasteurized milk.
What is usually OK vs. not
- Generally advised against: blue cheese made from unpasteurized (raw) milk, including many imported and specialty cheeses such as Roquefort.
- Often considered acceptable: blue cheese clearly labeled as made from pasteurized milk, especially when it is cooked until hot, like in a sauce or baked dish.
- Not sure? Many providers suggest asking the cheese seller or checking the label before eating it.
Practical tips
- Many providers suggest reading the label for the words “made with pasteurized milk.”
- Cooking blue cheese until steaming hot is often seen as a way to reduce germ risk, though it does not remove every concern for some people.
- Crumbled blue cheese in restaurant salads or dips is usually not labeled, so asking the restaurant about its milk source can help.
- Balanced nutrition during pregnancy includes dairy, so many providers suggest lower-risk cheeses like pasteurized hard cheeses or cottage cheese as alternatives.
If you already ate it
Many people eat blue cheese during pregnancy without any problems, and most listeria infections are not caused by a single food. It can still help to watch for symptoms over the next few weeks and to mention what you ate at your next visit. Many providers suggest calling sooner if symptoms appear, rather than waiting for a scheduled appointment.
When to contact your provider
Contact your provider promptly if you have fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhea after eating soft or blue cheese. Get emergency care for severe symptoms or any concern about your baby.
Questions people ask
Can I eat blue cheese while pregnant in early pregnancy?
The same guidance applies in early pregnancy. Blue cheese made from unpasteurized milk is generally advised against, and pasteurized versions are often considered acceptable. Many providers suggest asking about early pregnancy concerns at your first visit.
Can I eat blue cheese while pregnant in the second trimester?
The advice does not change by trimester. Listeria risk is the main concern at every stage, so unpasteurized blue cheese is generally advised against. Pasteurized blue cheese is often considered a lower-risk choice, but ask your provider.
Can I eat blue cheese while pregnant in the third trimester?
The main concern is still listeria, which can be serious late in pregnancy. Many providers suggest avoiding unpasteurized blue cheese and choosing pasteurized options or cooked dishes. Ask your provider if you have questions about your specific situation.
Is blue cheese on a salad or burger safe while pregnant?
Restaurant cheese is often unlabeled, so the milk source may be unknown. Many providers suggest asking the restaurant whether the cheese is made from pasteurized milk. Cooked blue cheese in a hot dish is often considered a lower-risk option.
More questions people ask
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Sources
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