Can I Eat Goat Cheese While Pregnant? Soft vs Hard 2026
Short answer: It depends. Hard goat cheese is safe; soft, mould-ripened goat cheese is safest pasteurised and cooked until steaming.
Soft vs. Hard Makes the Difference
Hard goat cheese is safe. Soft, mould-ripened goat cheese (with a white rind) can harbour listeria, avoid it unless it's pasteurised and thoroughly cooked until steaming hot. Always check the label for “pasteurised.”
For a quick colour-coded verdict, see our Goat Cheese food safety page.
The Key Is the Type of Goat Cheese
Not all goat cheese is the same. Hard, aged goat cheese has low moisture and is safe to eat. The concern is soft, mould-ripened goat cheese, the kind with a soft white rind, which, like brie, can support listeria growth, especially if unpasteurised.
Cooking Makes Soft Goat Cheese Safe
Thorough cooking kills listeria. So soft goat cheese baked onto a hot tart, melted into a pasta, or grilled until steaming hot is safe to enjoy, a popular way to have it in pregnancy. Cold, soft, mould-ripened goat cheese is the version to avoid.
Always Check for Pasteurisation
Whatever the style, choose pasteurised goat cheese during pregnancy and check the label, particularly for artisan, farmers'-market or imported cheeses, which are more likely to be unpasteurised.
Safe Goat Cheese Options
- Hard/aged goat cheese, pasteurised, safe
- Soft goat cheese, cooked, baked or grilled until steaming
- Goat cheese in hot tarts and pasta, fully cooked
Goat Cheese to Avoid
- Soft, mould-ripened goat cheese, cold, listeria risk
- Any unpasteurised goat cheese, check the label
- Rinded soft goat cheese eaten raw, cook it first
Helpful pregnancy essentials
A few things expecting moms often find useful. Always check with your OB-GYN or midwife first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat goat cheese while pregnant?
Hard goat cheese is safe. Soft, mould-ripened goat cheese is safest pasteurised and cooked until steaming hot; avoid it cold.
Is cooked goat cheese safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Thorough cooking kills listeria, so soft goat cheese baked or grilled until steaming hot is safe to eat.
How do I know if goat cheese is pasteurised?
Check the label for “pasteurised.” Supermarket goat cheese usually is; artisan and imported cheeses may not be.
Is goat cheese on pizza safe?
Yes, if the pizza is cooked hot so the cheese is steaming. Freshly baked goat cheese pizza is fine.
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