What Cheese Can You Eat When Pregnant? A UK Guide to Safe Cheeses

Quick guide: Which cheeses can you eat when pregnant?

If you’re looking for a quick answer, here are the main rules to remember.

Cheese type	Can you eat it when pregnant?
Hard cheese, including Cheddar and Parmesan	Yes, whether pasteurised or unpasteurised
Pasteurised semi-hard cheese, such as Edam	Yes
Pasteurised mozzarella, feta, ricotta and halloumi	Yes
Pasteurised cream cheese and cottage cheese	Yes
Brie and Camembert	Only if cooked until steaming hot throughout
Soft blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola or Roquefort	Only if cooked until steaming hot throughout
Soft, mould-ripened goats’ cheese with a white rind	Only if cooked until steaming hot throughout
Unpasteurised milk and dairy products	Avoid

 

These are general guidelines. The style of cheese, how it is made and whether it has been thoroughly cooked all matter — not simply whether the milk is pasteurised.

Why do you need to be careful with cheese during pregnancy?

The main concern is Listeria, a bacterium that can cause an infection called listeriosis. Although listeriosis is uncommon, it can have serious consequences during pregnancy.

Some cheeses, particularly soft mould-ripened cheeses and soft blue cheeses, can provide conditions in which Listeria may survive and grow. This is why NHS guidance recommends avoiding these cheeses unless they have been thoroughly cooked until steaming hot.

Pasteurisation is a heat-treatment process that helps reduce harmful bacteria in milk. However, choosing a pasteurised Brie or Camembert does not remove the specific pregnancy advice for these soft, mould-ripened cheeses.

The good news is that hard cheeses and many other familiar varieties remain on the menu.

What cheese can you eat when pregnant?

1. Hard cheeses: Cheddar, Gouda and Parmesan

Hard cheeses are one of the simplest choices during pregnancy. According to the NHS, hard cheeses can be eaten whether they are made with pasteurised or unpasteurised milk.

This includes popular favourites such as:

• Cheddar
• Gouda
• Parmesan
• Gruyère
• Manchego
• Hard Pecorino
• Red Leicester

Whether you prefer a mature Cheddar with a savoury tang or a nutty cheese to grate over a comforting bowl of pasta, there are plenty of ways to enjoy hard cheese.

Our pregnancy-friendly picks from The Cheese Society

• Blackbomber Extra Mature – a smooth, creamy, extra-mature Cheddar-style cheese with plenty of flavour.
• Dambuster Mature Cheddar – a rich and creamy Cheddar for sandwiches, toasties and everyday cheeseboards.
• Pecorino Romano PDO – a firm, savoury sheep’s milk cheese that is delicious finely grated over pasta, roasted vegetables or risotto.
• Vintage Red Fox – a mature Red Leicester-style cheese with a sweet, mellow flavour and distinctive crunchy texture.

These are all listed in our pregnancy-friendly cheese collection, making it easy to explore some tasty options.

2. Pasteurised semi-hard cheeses

Pasteurised semi-hard cheeses, such as Edam, are also suitable during pregnancy.

Depending on the variety, semi-hard cheeses can be mild and buttery or savoury and nutty. They’re easy to slice for sandwiches, add to a lunchbox or serve with crackers.

Always check the label if you’re unsure which type of cheese you have or whether it is pasteurised.

3. Pasteurised soft cheeses that aren’t mould-ripened

Not every soft cheese needs to be avoided. The NHS says you can eat several types of soft cheese during pregnancy when they are made with pasteurised milk.

These include:

• Mozzarella
• Feta
• Ricotta
• Mascarpone
• Halloumi
• Cottage cheese
• Cream cheese
• Paneer
• Burrata
• Goats’ cheese without a white coating or rind

That means dishes such as a mozzarella and tomato salad, a ricotta-filled pasta bake or grilled halloumi can still be options.

For soft cheeses, check that the product is pasteurised and follow its storage instructions. Keep chilled cheeses refrigerated and pay attention to use-by dates.

4. Goats’ cheese: Does it matter which type?

Yes — the type of goats’ cheese makes a difference.

Pasteurised goats’ cheese without a white, mould-ripened rind can be eaten during pregnancy. However, soft mould-ripened goats’ cheeses with a white coating, such as some varieties of chèvre, should be avoided unless cooked until steaming hot throughout.

It’s worth checking the packaging rather than assuming that all goats’ cheese is the same. Goats’ milk can be pasteurised or unpasteurised, and cheeses made from it can have very different textures and rinds.

5. Cooked cheese: Can you eat Brie or blue cheese if it’s baked?

Yes — NHS guidance says that any cheese cooked until steaming hot is safe to eat during pregnancy, including soft and blue cheeses that would otherwise need to be avoided.

That means a dish containing Brie, Camembert or blue cheese can be an option when the cheese has been thoroughly cooked until steaming hot throughout.

A few things to remember:

• The cheese should be steaming hot all the way through, not merely warm or melted around the edges.
• Follow the cooking instructions for the whole dish.
• If you’re eating leftovers, cool and refrigerate them promptly, then reheat them until steaming hot throughout.

A baked cheese that is warm and gooey in the middle may not have been heated sufficiently. When in doubt, choose a different cheese or cook the dish more thoroughly.

What cheeses should you avoid when pregnant?

There are two main groups to look out for.

Brie, Camembert and other soft mould-ripened cheeses

Soft mould-ripened cheeses with a white rind should be avoided unless cooked until steaming hot throughout. This applies whether the milk is pasteurised or unpasteurised.

Examples include:

• Brie
• Camembert
• Some varieties of soft-ripened goats’ cheese, including chèvre

The white rind is part of the cheese’s ripening process. It is not the same as an ordinary hard cheese with a natural rind.

Soft blue cheeses

Soft blue cheeses should also be avoided unless thoroughly cooked until steaming hot throughout.

Examples include:

• Gorgonzola
• Roquefort
• Danish Blue
• Other soft, blue-veined cheeses

This is an important distinction: hard cheeses are treated differently from soft blue cheeses in the NHS guidance. Don’t assume that every blue cheese is suitable simply because it is made from pasteurised milk.

Unpasteurised dairy products

Avoid unpasteurised milk and dairy products made from it, including unpasteurised cream, yoghurt, butter and ice cream.

Hard cheese is the important exception to remember: the NHS says hard cheeses can be eaten even when made with unpasteurised milk.

If a cheese’s style or milk treatment is unclear, check the packaging or ask the cheesemonger before eating it.

Can you eat cheese on a cheeseboard when pregnant?

Absolutely. A pregnancy-friendly cheeseboard can still have plenty of variety, flavour and texture.

The easiest approach is to choose hard cheeses and other cheeses that meet NHS guidance, rather than building a board around soft mould-ripened or soft blue varieties.

Here’s an idea for a simple board using cheeses from The Cheese Society’s pregnancy-friendly range:

• Blackbomber Extra Mature for a creamy, full-flavoured Cheddar-style cheese.
• Vintage Red Fox for a sweet, savoury cheese with a little crunch.
• Pecorino Romano PDO for a firm, salty, sheep’s milk cheese.
• Swaledale Traditional for a farmhouse-style cheese with a delicate, creamy flavour.

Explore the options in our pregnancy-friendly cheese collection and check the individual product information before ordering.

Serve your cheeses with crackers, fresh fruit, chutney or other favourite accompaniments. Keep the cheese refrigerated until you’re ready to serve, use clean utensils and avoid leaving it out for extended periods.

If you’re buying a ready-made cheeseboard, ask for the cheese types and milk-treatment details so you can check that every variety is suitable.

Can you eat cooked cheese in sandwiches, toasties and pasta?

Yes, many familiar cheesy meals can still feature on your menu.

A Cheddar toastie, a pasta bake topped with Parmesan or a homemade pizza with suitable pasteurised mozzarella can all be good options.

If you’re using Brie, Camembert, soft goats’ cheese with a white rind or soft blue cheese, remember that it needs to be cooked until steaming hot throughout. Simply adding it to a sandwich or letting it soften on warm toast is not enough.

For ready-made sandwiches and salads containing cheese, the NHS advises keeping them chilled and eating them before the use-by date.

How to store cheese safely during pregnancy

Good food hygiene matters just as much as choosing the right cheese.

Follow these simple steps:

1. Read the label. Check the cheese type, milk treatment and storage instructions.
2. Keep cheese refrigerated. Follow the temperature guidance on the packaging and return cheese to the fridge promptly.
3. Respect use-by dates. A use-by date is about safety, so don’t eat the product after that date.
4. Use clean knives and boards. Avoid cross-contamination between different foods.
5. Take care with ready-to-eat foods. Keep pre-packed sandwiches and salads chilled and eat them before their use-by date.

If you are unsure about a particular cheese, check the NHS guidance or ask your midwife or healthcare professional for advice.

Frequently asked questions about cheese during pregnancy

Can I eat Cheddar when pregnant?

Yes. The NHS says hard cheeses such as Cheddar are safe during pregnancy, whether they are made with pasteurised or unpasteurised milk.

Can I eat Parmesan when pregnant?

Yes. Parmesan is a hard cheese and is considered safe during pregnancy, including when made with unpasteurised milk.

Can I eat mozzarella when pregnant?

Yes, provided it is made with pasteurised milk. Check the packaging, store it correctly and follow its use-by date.

Can I eat Brie when pregnant if it is pasteurised?

Not unless it has been cooked until steaming hot throughout. Pasteurised Brie is still a soft mould-ripened cheese, so the same NHS precaution applies.

Can I eat blue cheese when pregnant?

Hard blue cheese and soft blue cheese are not treated the same way in the guidance. Soft blue cheeses, including Gorgonzola and Roquefort, should only be eaten if thoroughly cooked until steaming hot throughout. If you’re unsure about a variety, check its type and the current NHS advice.

Can I eat goats’ cheese when pregnant?

Some types are suitable. Pasteurised goats’ cheese without a white mould-ripened rind is safe to eat. Soft mould-ripened goats’ cheese with a white rind should be thoroughly cooked until steaming hot throughout.

What if I have already eaten a cheese I should have avoided?

Try not to panic. The NHS advises that if you have eaten a small amount of a food that should be avoided during pregnancy, it is unlikely to affect your baby if you have not become ill. If you feel unwell, develop symptoms of food poisoning or are worried, contact your midwife or GP for advice. You can also use NHS 111 if you need urgent medical advice.

Enjoy cheese with confidence during pregnancy

Pregnancy means taking a little extra care with food, but it doesn’t mean saying goodbye to delicious cheese. From mature Cheddar and Gouda to Parmesan and suitable pasteurised soft cheeses, there are plenty of options to enjoy.

At The Cheese Society, we believe great cheese is made for sharing. Our pregnancy-friendly cheese collection is a helpful place to start exploring cheeses that fit the guidance.

For the latest official advice, read the NHS guide to foods to avoid in pregnancy. If you have any concerns about what you can eat, your midwife or healthcare professional can help you make the right choice for your circumstances.

Please note: This article is intended as general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Always follow current NHS guidance and the instructions on the cheese packaging. Here is a link to the NHS pregnancy safe cheeses.