Queso Fresco During Pregnancy: Pasteurized, Cooked, and Restaurant

The short answer: Avoid unheated queso fresco while pregnant, even if the label says pasteurized. The CDC lists any queso fresco-type cheese, pasteurized or not, as a riskier choice. Its safer choice is queso fresco heated to 165°F or until steaming hot, such as cheese melted inside a hot dish.

Can you eat queso while pregnant?

“Queso” often means queso fresco or a similar fresh Mexican-style cheese, not melted cheddar. For that category, CDC and FDA advise avoiding unheated queso fresco-type cheese in pregnancy, even when the milk was pasteurized. Heat it to 165°F or until steaming hot inside a dish. A hot cheese dip or nacho cheese made from pasteurized processed cheese is a different product—ask what is in it and whether it arrives steaming hot.

Why is pasteurized queso fresco still a concern?

The FDA's queso fresco guidance says most queso fresco sold in stores is pasteurized, but the cheese can be recontaminated with Listeria after pasteurization if the plant is not clean. These soft, moist, low-acid cheeses can support Listeria growth, and Listeria can grow in the refrigerator. FDA reports that listeriosis outbreaks have repeatedly been linked to queso fresco-type cheeses and recommends that people at higher risk, including pregnant women, avoid them.

FDA also notes that pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than the general population to get listeriosis. Our soft cheese guide explains how other cheeses, like feta and mozzarella, compare.

What queso fresco can pregnant women eat?

Queso fresco that has been cooked as part of the dish to 165°F or until steaming hot. FDA's guidance suggests cooking it in the dish when you can. Examples where the cheese is likely to be heated through, if the dish is served steaming hot:

• Baked enchiladas or casseroles with queso fresco melted inside.
• Pupusas con queso cooked on the griddle until the filling is hot.
• Cheese dip served bubbling hot.

Cheese crumbled on top after cooking, such as on tacos, elote, beans, or salads, has not been heated and stays in the riskier column.

Is queso blanco or panela the same?

The CDC and FDA group queso blanco, requesón, and similar fresh, soft cheeses with queso fresco. FDA's moms-to-be page also names panela alongside them. Treat them the same way: heat them until steaming hot.

Is restaurant queso fresco safe while pregnant?

Ask whether the cheese is cooked into the dish or added cold at the end. Request crumbled cheese on the side or left off, and choose dishes where the cheese is melted and the plate arrives steaming hot.

If I buy queso fresco, how should I handle it?

FDA advises choosing cheese in sealed packaging that is clearly labeled as made with pasteurized milk, with a use-by date and the producer's name. Keep it at 40°F or below, use it soon, do not keep leftovers after opening, and discard it if it sat between 40°F and 140°F for more than 2 hours. Wash your hands, knives, and boards after handling it.

Common questions

What if I ate queso fresco while pregnant?

The CDC says pregnant women should call the doctor right away if they have a fever and feel more tired and achy than usual. FDA notes that listeriosis in pregnancy can be mild or unnoticed, so tell your prenatal care team what you ate even if you feel fine.

Is homemade queso fresco safer?

The FDA's dairy advice for moms-to-be is to use pasteurized milk if you make queso fresco at home, and the CDC's heat-it-first rule still applies.

Sources: CDC safer food choices for pregnant women, FDA queso fresco-type cheese guidance, FDA ready-to-eat foods 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.