Can I eat goat cheese during pregnancy?
Penny cited the following
5 professionally-backed sources
3 articles from healthcare institutions
Goat Cheese and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
You can eat goat cheese during pregnancy, but only if it is made from pasteurized milk. Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria, including Listeria, which can cause serious illness during pregnancy. Soft, unpasteurized goat cheeses—especially those with a white rind or mold (like chèvre)—should be avoided unless they are cooked until steaming hot. Hard or aged goat cheeses are generally considered safe, even if unpasteurized, because their low moisture makes it difficult for bacteria to grow.
1
Article
Is It Safe to Eat Goat Cheese During Pregnancy? A Complete Guide
Goat cheese has a low lactose content compared to cow milk cheese and hence it is less challenging to digest by women who become sensitive during pregnancy. Its medium-chain fatty acids also enhance better metabolism and balance of energy that ...
2
Article
The Dangers of Raw Milk: Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk | FDA
Pregnant women run a serious risk of becoming ill from the germ Listeria, which is often found in raw milk and can cause miscarriage, or illness, or death of the newborn baby.
3
Article
Cheese & Dairy in Pregnancy | Goat’s Cheese & More | Aptaclub
Some types of goat’s cheese are fine to eat during pregnancy, as long as they’re made from pasteurised milk7. However, chèvre and other soft goat’s cheese should be avoided while you’re pregnant as they can contain higher levels of listeria.
4
Article
People at Risk: Pregnant Women | FoodSafety.gov
Immune system changes in pregnant women place the women themselves, their unborn children, and their newborns at increased risk of foodborne illness. These illnesses can be worse during pregnancy and may lead to miscarriage or premature delivery. Some foodborne illnesses, such as Listeria and Toxoplasma gondii, can infect the fetus even if the mother does not feel sick.
5
Article
Foods to avoid in pregnancy - NHS
But there are some things you should be careful with or avoid. ... pasteurised soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, goats' cheese without a white coating on the outside (rind) ...
6
Article
Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women | Food Safety | CDC
31, 2025 · Pregnant women are more likely to get sick from certain germs spread through food, like Listeria. Some foods are more likely to spread harmful germs, including undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurized milk and cheese, and unwashed ...
7
Article
Food Choices During Pregnancy
Not that: Soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses and Mexican style cheeses, such as queso fresco, as they do not state they are pasteurized. The CDC recommends avoiding soft cheese to reduce your risk of contracting Listeriosis, sickness caused by ingesting unpasteurized dairy products.
8
Article
During pregnancy, avoid cold cuts and soft cheeses to reduce listeria risk | Your Pregnancy Matters | UT Southwestern Medical Center
Miscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth risk increase following listeria infection. Bacteria can also be transmitted to the newborn, potentially causing neurological problems or death.
Why Pasteurization Matters
Pasteurized cheese is safest for pregnancy
- Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to kill bacteria like Listeria, Salmonella, and E. coli.
-
Pregnant people are more likely to get sick from these bacteria, which can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, or severe illness in newborns.
2ArticleThe Dangers of Raw Milk: Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk | FDAPregnant women run a serious risk of becoming ill from the germ Listeria, which is often found in raw milk and can cause miscarriage, or illness, or death of the newborn baby.→
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
3ArticleCheese & Dairy in Pregnancy | Goat’s Cheese & More | AptaclubSome types of goat’s cheese are fine to eat during pregnancy, as long as they’re made from pasteurised milk7. However, chèvre and other soft goat’s cheese should be avoided while you’re pregnant as they can contain higher levels of listeria.→aptaclub.co.uk
4ArticlePeople at Risk: Pregnant Women | FoodSafety.govImmune system changes in pregnant women place the women themselves, their unborn children, and their newborns at increased risk of foodborne illness. These illnesses can be worse during pregnancy and may lead to miscarriage or premature delivery. Some foodborne illnesses, such as Listeria and Toxoplasma gondii, can infect the fetus even if the mother does not feel sick.→Food Safety
-
Always check the label for “pasteurized milk.” If you’re unsure, it’s best to avoid the cheese or ask for clarification.
1ArticleIs It Safe to Eat Goat Cheese During Pregnancy? A Complete GuideGoat cheese has a low lactose content compared to cow milk cheese and hence it is less challenging to digest by women who become sensitive during pregnancy. Its medium-chain fatty acids also enhance better metabolism and balance of energy that ...→
evahospital.in
6ArticleSafer Food Choices for Pregnant Women | Food Safety | CDC31, 2025 · Pregnant women are more likely to get sick from certain germs spread through food, like Listeria. Some foods are more likely to spread harmful germs, including undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurized milk and cheese, and unwashed ...→Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
8ArticleDuring pregnancy, avoid cold cuts and soft cheeses to reduce listeria risk | Your Pregnancy Matters | UT Southwestern Medical CenterMiscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth risk increase following listeria infection. Bacteria can also be transmitted to the newborn, potentially causing neurological problems or death.→UT Southwestern Medical Center
Types of Goat Cheese: What’s Safe and What’s Not
Soft vs. hard, pasteurized vs. unpasteurized
-
Safe: Pasteurized goat cheese (soft or hard), hard goat cheese (even if unpasteurized), and any goat cheese that has been cooked until steaming hot.
1ArticleIs It Safe to Eat Goat Cheese During Pregnancy? A Complete GuideGoat cheese has a low lactose content compared to cow milk cheese and hence it is less challenging to digest by women who become sensitive during pregnancy. Its medium-chain fatty acids also enhance better metabolism and balance of energy that ...→3ArticleCheese & Dairy in Pregnancy | Goat’s Cheese & More | AptaclubSome types of goat’s cheese are fine to eat during pregnancy, as long as they’re made from pasteurised milk7. However, chèvre and other soft goat’s cheese should be avoided while you’re pregnant as they can contain higher levels of listeria.→4ArticlePeople at Risk: Pregnant Women | FoodSafety.govImmune system changes in pregnant women place the women themselves, their unborn children, and their newborns at increased risk of foodborne illness. These illnesses can be worse during pregnancy and may lead to miscarriage or premature delivery. Some foodborne illnesses, such as Listeria and Toxoplasma gondii, can infect the fetus even if the mother does not feel sick.→5ArticleFoods to avoid in pregnancy - NHSBut there are some things you should be careful with or avoid. ... pasteurised soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, goats' cheese without a white coating on the outside (rind) ...→
nhs.uk
6ArticleSafer Food Choices for Pregnant Women | Food Safety | CDC31, 2025 · Pregnant women are more likely to get sick from certain germs spread through food, like Listeria. Some foods are more likely to spread harmful germs, including undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurized milk and cheese, and unwashed ...→7ArticleFood Choices During PregnancyNot that: Soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses and Mexican style cheeses, such as queso fresco, as they do not state they are pasteurized. The CDC recommends avoiding soft cheese to reduce your risk of contracting Listeriosis, sickness caused by ingesting unpasteurized dairy products.→bmhvt.org
8ArticleDuring pregnancy, avoid cold cuts and soft cheeses to reduce listeria risk | Your Pregnancy Matters | UT Southwestern Medical CenterMiscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth risk increase following listeria infection. Bacteria can also be transmitted to the newborn, potentially causing neurological problems or death.→ -
Avoid: Soft, mold-ripened, or rind-covered goat cheese made from unpasteurized milk, unless cooked thoroughly.
1ArticleIs It Safe to Eat Goat Cheese During Pregnancy? A Complete GuideGoat cheese has a low lactose content compared to cow milk cheese and hence it is less challenging to digest by women who become sensitive during pregnancy. Its medium-chain fatty acids also enhance better metabolism and balance of energy that ...→3ArticleCheese & Dairy in Pregnancy | Goat’s Cheese & More | AptaclubSome types of goat’s cheese are fine to eat during pregnancy, as long as they’re made from pasteurised milk7. However, chèvre and other soft goat’s cheese should be avoided while you’re pregnant as they can contain higher levels of listeria.→5ArticleFoods to avoid in pregnancy - NHSBut there are some things you should be careful with or avoid. ... pasteurised soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, goats' cheese without a white coating on the outside (rind) ...→7ArticleFood Choices During PregnancyNot that: Soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses and Mexican style cheeses, such as queso fresco, as they do not state they are pasteurized. The CDC recommends avoiding soft cheese to reduce your risk of contracting Listeriosis, sickness caused by ingesting unpasteurized dairy products.→8ArticleDuring pregnancy, avoid cold cuts and soft cheeses to reduce listeria risk | Your Pregnancy Matters | UT Southwestern Medical CenterMiscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth risk increase following listeria infection. Bacteria can also be transmitted to the newborn, potentially causing neurological problems or death.→
-
Hard cheeses are less risky because bacteria have a harder time surviving in low-moisture environments.
5ArticleFoods to avoid in pregnancy - NHSBut there are some things you should be careful with or avoid. ... pasteurised soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, goats' cheese without a white coating on the outside (rind) ...→6ArticleSafer Food Choices for Pregnant Women | Food Safety | CDC31, 2025 · Pregnant women are more likely to get sick from certain germs spread through food, like Listeria. Some foods are more likely to spread harmful germs, including undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurized milk and cheese, and unwashed ...→
Eating Out or Buying Cheese
How to make safe choices
- At restaurants or markets, always ask if the goat cheese is pasteurized.
-
Imported or artisanal cheeses may not always meet safety standards—when in doubt, skip it or choose a cooked dish.
1ArticleIs It Safe to Eat Goat Cheese During Pregnancy? A Complete GuideGoat cheese has a low lactose content compared to cow milk cheese and hence it is less challenging to digest by women who become sensitive during pregnancy. Its medium-chain fatty acids also enhance better metabolism and balance of energy that ...→6ArticleSafer Food Choices for Pregnant Women | Food Safety | CDC31, 2025 · Pregnant women are more likely to get sick from certain germs spread through food, like Listeria. Some foods are more likely to spread harmful germs, including undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurized milk and cheese, and unwashed ...→8ArticleDuring pregnancy, avoid cold cuts and soft cheeses to reduce listeria risk | Your Pregnancy Matters | UT Southwestern Medical CenterMiscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth risk increase following listeria infection. Bacteria can also be transmitted to the newborn, potentially causing neurological problems or death.→
-
Cooking goat cheese until it’s steaming hot (165°F or 75°C) kills harmful bacteria, making it safe to eat even if it started out unpasteurized.
3ArticleCheese & Dairy in Pregnancy | Goat’s Cheese & More | AptaclubSome types of goat’s cheese are fine to eat during pregnancy, as long as they’re made from pasteurised milk7. However, chèvre and other soft goat’s cheese should be avoided while you’re pregnant as they can contain higher levels of listeria.→7ArticleFood Choices During PregnancyNot that: Soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses and Mexican style cheeses, such as queso fresco, as they do not state they are pasteurized. The CDC recommends avoiding soft cheese to reduce your risk of contracting Listeriosis, sickness caused by ingesting unpasteurized dairy products.→8ArticleDuring pregnancy, avoid cold cuts and soft cheeses to reduce listeria risk | Your Pregnancy Matters | UT Southwestern Medical CenterMiscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth risk increase following listeria infection. Bacteria can also be transmitted to the newborn, potentially causing neurological problems or death.→
Enjoying Goat Cheese Safely
Goat cheese can be a nutritious part of your diet
-
Goat cheese is a good source of calcium, protein, and other nutrients important for pregnancy.
1ArticleIs It Safe to Eat Goat Cheese During Pregnancy? A Complete GuideGoat cheese has a low lactose content compared to cow milk cheese and hence it is less challenging to digest by women who become sensitive during pregnancy. Its medium-chain fatty acids also enhance better metabolism and balance of energy that ...→6ArticleSafer Food Choices for Pregnant Women | Food Safety | CDC31, 2025 · Pregnant women are more likely to get sick from certain germs spread through food, like Listeria. Some foods are more likely to spread harmful germs, including undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurized milk and cheese, and unwashed ...→
- By sticking to pasteurized varieties or cooking cheese thoroughly, you can enjoy goat cheese without added risk.
Making Informed Choices About Cheese
Goat cheese can be safely enjoyed during pregnancy if you choose pasteurized varieties or cook it until steaming hot. Avoid soft, unpasteurized, or mold-ripened goat cheeses unless they are thoroughly cooked. When in doubt, check the label or ask for more information. These steps can help you enjoy the taste and nutritional benefits of goat cheese while minimizing risk to you and your baby.
1
Article
Is It Safe to Eat Goat Cheese During Pregnancy? A Complete Guide
Goat cheese has a low lactose content compared to cow milk cheese and hence it is less challenging to digest by women who become sensitive during pregnancy. Its medium-chain fatty acids also enhance better metabolism and balance of energy that ...
2
Article
The Dangers of Raw Milk: Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk | FDA
Pregnant women run a serious risk of becoming ill from the germ Listeria, which is often found in raw milk and can cause miscarriage, or illness, or death of the newborn baby.
3
Article
Cheese & Dairy in Pregnancy | Goat’s Cheese & More | Aptaclub
Some types of goat’s cheese are fine to eat during pregnancy, as long as they’re made from pasteurised milk7. However, chèvre and other soft goat’s cheese should be avoided while you’re pregnant as they can contain higher levels of listeria.
4
Article
People at Risk: Pregnant Women | FoodSafety.gov
Immune system changes in pregnant women place the women themselves, their unborn children, and their newborns at increased risk of foodborne illness. These illnesses can be worse during pregnancy and may lead to miscarriage or premature delivery. Some foodborne illnesses, such as Listeria and Toxoplasma gondii, can infect the fetus even if the mother does not feel sick.
5
Article
Foods to avoid in pregnancy - NHS
But there are some things you should be careful with or avoid. ... pasteurised soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, paneer, ricotta, halloumi, goats' cheese without a white coating on the outside (rind) ...
6
Article
Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women | Food Safety | CDC
31, 2025 · Pregnant women are more likely to get sick from certain germs spread through food, like Listeria. Some foods are more likely to spread harmful germs, including undercooked meat and eggs, unpasteurized milk and cheese, and unwashed ...
7
Article
Food Choices During Pregnancy
Not that: Soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined cheeses and Mexican style cheeses, such as queso fresco, as they do not state they are pasteurized. The CDC recommends avoiding soft cheese to reduce your risk of contracting Listeriosis, sickness caused by ingesting unpasteurized dairy products.
8
Article
During pregnancy, avoid cold cuts and soft cheeses to reduce listeria risk | Your Pregnancy Matters | UT Southwestern Medical Center
Miscarriage, premature delivery, and stillbirth risk increase following listeria infection. Bacteria can also be transmitted to the newborn, potentially causing neurological problems or death.