Blue Cheese During Pregnancy: Pasteurized, Cooked, and Dressing

The short answer: Check the milk first. CDC's pregnancy food-safety chart lists soft cheese made from unpasteurized (raw) milk, including blue-veined cheese, as a riskier choice. FDA says not to eat blue-veined cheeses unless they are made with pasteurized milk, and CDC lists pasteurized soft cheeses heated to 165°F or until steaming hot as a safer choice.

Why is blue cheese a concern during pregnancy?

The concern is Listeria. The FDA explains that cheese made from unpasteurized milk can become contaminated with Listeria, which can be harmful to a pregnant woman and her baby, and that some soft cheeses may be made with unpasteurized milk. CDC's Listeria prevention page lists pregnant women among the groups at higher risk.

Is pasteurized blue cheese safe while pregnant?

The answer depends on the guidance you use and how it is served. FDA's advice is that blue-veined cheese is acceptable when the label says "made with pasteurized milk." CDC's chart does not list blue cheese by name on its safer side; it lists pasteurized soft cheese heated to 165°F or until steaming hot. If you want to follow the more cautious option, eat blue cheese melted or cooked until steaming hot. Ask your prenatal clinician if you are unsure about a specific cheese.

Can you eat cooked blue cheese, like on a burger?

Yes, when it is heated until steaming hot. Blue cheese melted into a hot sauce, baked into a dish, or melted on a burger fits CDC's heated-soft-cheese option. A cold crumble added after cooking has not been heated. Cook the burger itself to 160°F, CDC's temperature for ground beef; see our steak and burger guide.

Is blue cheese dressing safe during pregnancy?

For store-bought dressing, check the label for pasteurized milk or cheese. On the egg side, FDA notes that commercial mayonnaise, dressings, and sauces contain pasteurized eggs. House-made blue cheese dressing at a restaurant is the one to ask about, both for the cheese and for homemade mayonnaise. Our ranch and salad dressing guide covers bottled and restaurant dressings, and PregNut has blue cheese dressing nutrition data.

What about blue cheese crumbles, Roquefort, and Gorgonzola?

Use the same label check for each one. The name of a cheese does not tell you whether its milk was pasteurized, and FDA notes that some cheeses, especially local or specialty ones, are not. If the package or the server cannot confirm pasteurized milk, skip it or choose a dish where the cheese is cooked until steaming hot.

What nutrients does blue cheese provide?

PregNut's historical USDA-based data lists blue cheese at 528 mg calcium and 21.4 g protein per 100 g. A typical portion is much smaller than 100 g.

Common questions

What if I ate blue cheese while pregnant?

An exposure does not mean you have an infection. Tell your prenatal care team what you ate, and whether it was pasteurized if you know. CDC says pregnant women should call the doctor right away if they have a fever and feel more tired and achy than usual.

Does the trimester change the advice?

CDC's chart does not set different cheese rules by trimester. The pasteurization and heating checks apply throughout pregnancy.

Related: feta cheese, soft cheese and pasteurized brie, and hard cheese.

Sources: CDC safer food choices for pregnant women, CDC preventing Listeria, FDA food safety facts for moms-to-be, FDA dairy and eggs for moms-to-be, and CDC food-poisoning symptoms. This guide is educational and does not replace prenatal care.