🧀 Dairy - Pregnancy Safety

Unpasteurized milk may contain Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella. Always choose pasteurized dairy during pregnancy.

Can contain Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter; the FDA and CDC strongly advise all pregnant women to avoid raw milk.

Includes Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton; Listeria risk from mold veins. Safe when cooked until hot (e.g., on pizza, in sauces).

Soft mold-ripened cheese with Listeria risk; avoid unless made from pasteurized milk AND heated until hot throughout.

Soft cheese with a liquid cream center; generally safe if made from pasteurized milk, but the fresh, moist interior can support bacterial growth. Consume fresh and check pasteurization.

Soft mold-ripened cheese similar to brie; Listeria risk unless pasteurized and cooked until hot throughout.

Traditionally made from unpasteurized milk; linked to listeria outbreaks. A disproportionate number of cheese-related listeria cases trace to Hispanic-style fresh cheeses.

Can be made from unpasteurized milk, especially imported varieties; carries listeria risk if unpasteurized.

Semi-soft cheese that may be made from unpasteurized milk; softer varieties can support listeria growth. Check pasteurization status.

Soft fresh goat cheese (chèvre) carries Listeria risk; safe if pasteurized. Avoid with white rind (surface-ripened).

Soft fresh goat cheese (chèvre) may be made from unpasteurized milk; carries listeria risk if unpasteurized. Check labels carefully.

Soft washed-rind cheese with high moisture content; may support listeria growth, particularly if made from unpasteurized milk.

Similar to queso fresco, may be made from unpasteurized milk; carries listeria risk if unpasteurized.

Frequently made from unpasteurized milk, especially artisanal versions; a disproportionate number of listeria outbreaks have been traced to queso fresco.

Soft-ripened washed-rind cheese that may harbor listeria; often made from unpasteurized milk. The NHS advises caution with mould-ripened soft cheeses.

Processed cheese made from pasteurized milk; safe during pregnancy.

Hard to semi-hard Italian cheese; aged varieties are safe during pregnancy. Fresh Asiago (Asiago Pressato) is softer and should be from pasteurized milk.

Made from pasteurized milk; this flavored cream cheese-style spread is safe during pregnancy.

Hard cheese safe during pregnancy; commercially produced cheddar is made from pasteurized milk and its low moisture inhibits bacterial growth.

Semi-hard cheese made from pasteurized milk; safe during pregnancy.

Made from pasteurized milk in commercial production; safe during pregnancy and a good source of protein and calcium.

Made from pasteurized milk and cream; safe during pregnancy. A processed soft cheese that does not carry the same listeria risk as unpasteurized soft cheeses.

Hard Swiss cheese safe during pregnancy; the aging process and low moisture content make it inhospitable to harmful bacteria even if made from raw milk.

Made from pasteurized milk in most commercial production; a pasta filata cheese considered safe during pregnancy. Check label to confirm pasteurization.

Safe and highly recommended during pregnancy; made from pasteurized milk with higher protein content than regular yogurt.

Hard cheese that is safe during pregnancy even if made from unpasteurized milk, because hard cheeses have low moisture and high acidity that inhibit listeria growth.

Semi-hard cheese with high melting point; typically grilled or fried before eating. Commercially produced halloumi uses pasteurized milk and is safe.

Processed cheese made from pasteurized milk; safe during pregnancy. The processing and individual wrapping provide additional safety.

Hard aged sheep's milk cheese; safe during pregnancy due to long aging process and low moisture content.

Made from pasteurized cream and is safe during pregnancy; commonly used in tiramisu and other Italian desserts.

Semi-hard cheese made from pasteurized milk; safe during pregnancy.

Fresh Indian cheese typically made from pasteurized milk and always cooked in dishes; safe during pregnancy when made with pasteurized milk.

Hard aged cheese safe during pregnancy even if made from unpasteurized milk; the long aging process (12+ months) and very low moisture make it inhospitable to Listeria.

Hard aged Italian cheese safe during pregnancy; the long aging process eliminates bacteria even though traditionally made from raw sheep's milk.

Semi-hard cheese made from pasteurized milk; safe during pregnancy.

Semi-hard pasta filata cheese made from pasteurized milk in commercial production; safe during pregnancy.

Restaurant cheese dip is usually made from pasteurized processed cheese and served hot; generally safe during pregnancy.

Commercially produced low-moisture mozzarella is made from pasteurized milk and is safe; commonly used on pizza and in cooking.

Commercial ricotta is made from pasteurized milk and is safe during pregnancy; a good source of calcium and protein.

Commercial sour cream is pasteurized; safe during pregnancy. Discard if left out over 2 hours.

Commercially produced from pasteurized milk; individually wrapped and safe during pregnancy. A convenient protein and calcium snack.

Hard cheese made from pasteurized milk in commercial production; safe during pregnancy due to its low moisture content.

Processed cheese product made from pasteurized milk; safe during pregnancy. High in sodium and preservatives but poses no bacterial risk.

Commercial canned and carton whipped cream is pasteurized; safe during pregnancy.

Commercially produced yogurt made from pasteurized milk is safe and beneficial during pregnancy; provides calcium, protein, and probiotics.