What Types of Cheese Are Allowed During Pregnancy?

If the rind is cut off, semi-hard and hard cheeses made from pasteurized milk are allowed during pregnancy. However, pregnant women should avoid raw milk cheese, soft cheese, and types of cheese with a smear on the surface. The reason for this are certain bacteria that can be found in raw milk products and on the cheese rind.

This so-called listeria can cause symptoms that are similar to those of a flu-like infection with chills, moderate fever, headache, body aches as well as exhaustion. Such listeriosis is usually harmless in healthy, non-pregnant adults. However, the unborn child can be harmed by an infection. Raw milk products can also contain Escherichia coli bacteria, salmonella, or tuberculosis pathogens, which can also be harmful to the unborn child.

The reason for this is that raw milk is not heat-treated and is also heated to no more than 40 degrees Celsius for the preparation of cheeses. This preserves potentially harmful microorganisms that would be killed during pasteurization. Women should not risk the risk of infection during pregnancy. You can recognize raw milk products by the corresponding information on the packaging. If you have loose goods at the cheese counter, you should ask as a precaution. The only exception is hard cheese made from raw milk. Due to the long maturing time, pathogens are no longer to be expected inside the cheese wheel.

However, Listeria can build up on the rind of all cheeses as the wheel matures. Pregnant women should therefore always cut off the bark and never eat it.

During pregnancy, you should also pay even more attention to the correct storage of cheese than usual. In this way you avoid the formation of harmful germs. It is therefore best to buy only small quantities of packaged goods and consume the cheese within two to three days. Keep cheese in the refrigerator and also pay attention to hygiene when processing the food. Then you can enjoy the cheeses classified as harmless without hesitation.