Pregnancy food checker

Can I eat soft cheese while pregnant?

Soft cheese can be safe or risky depending on whether it is pasteurized and how it has been stored.

Short answer

Choose pasteurized soft cheese and avoid unpasteurized varieties. If the label is unclear, skip it or choose a hard cheese.

Safety note Check pasteurization

What matters for soft cheese

  • Unpasteurized cheese can carry harmful bacteria.
  • Soft, high-moisture cheese needs careful storage.
  • Imported or deli-counter cheese may be harder to verify.

What to check first

  • Does the label say pasteurized milk?
  • Has it been kept refrigerated?
  • Is it from a sealed package or an open counter?

Safer next steps

  • Choose pasteurized feta, cream cheese or mozzarella.
  • Pick hard cheese when unsure.
  • Avoid cheese with unclear labeling.

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Related pregnancy food questions

Can I eat runny eggs while pregnant?Can I eat smoked salmon while pregnant?Can I eat tuna while pregnant?

Sources used for safety framing

These pages are written as general food safety reminders and are checked against public guidance from FDA, CDC and NHS resources.

Published by Can I Eat. Last updated 2026-07-07.

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Can I Eat provides general food safety information and dietary risk reminders only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or a replacement for your clinician.