Can You Eat Feta Cheese (unpasteurized) While Pregnant?
Skip unpasteurized feta during pregnancy; FDA advises against unpasteurized soft cheese. See safer pasteurized options below.
Trimester Safety
Why unpasteurized feta is unsafe
Do not eat soft cheeses (feta, queso fresco, queso blanco, Panela, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined) unless made with pasteurized milk (FDA pregnant-women guidance).
How to Make It Safer
Do not eat unpasteurized feta in pregnancy. Choose clearly labelled pasteurized feta instead, keep dairy refrigerated, and check the use-by date. Follow the FDA guidance cited on this page, and check with your midwife if anything is unclear. A daily prenatal vitamin rounds out the nutrition whatever you choose.
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Feta Cheese (unpasteurized) should be avoided in pregnancy. But we know the mental load of double-checking every single food is real. Keep our free cheat sheet on your fridge so you can eat with confidence instead of anxiety.
Grab the free fridge cheat sheet ↓What to know about Feta Cheese (unpasteurized) in pregnancy
Here’s the practical picture for Feta Cheese (unpasteurized). Dairy is an important source of calcium in pregnancy. The one rule is pasteurisation, unpasteurised milk and soft, mould-ripened cheeses can carry listeria.
Safe preparation & tips
- Choose products clearly labelled “pasteurised”
- Hard cheeses and firm/pasteurised soft cheeses are fine
- Mould-ripened soft cheeses are safest cooked until steaming hot
- Keep dairy refrigerated and within its use-by date
💛 Pregnancy nutrition with dairy
Things expecting moms commonly find helpful. Always check with your OB-GYN or midwife before adding a supplement.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat Feta Cheese (unpasteurized) while pregnant?
Feta Cheese (unpasteurized) should be avoided during pregnancy. Choose pasteurized feta instead.
Is Feta Cheese (unpasteurized) safe during pregnancy?
Unpasteurized feta is AVOID in pregnancy due to Listeria risk. Choose pasteurized feta instead.
Can pregnant women eat Feta Cheese (unpasteurized)?
No — unpasteurized feta should be avoided. Switch to pasteurized feta.
Is Feta Cheese (unpasteurized) safe in the first trimester?
The same preparation rules apply in the first trimester.
Is Feta Cheese (unpasteurized) safe in the third trimester?
The same preparation rules apply in the third trimester.
Checked against FDA guidance used on this page (avoid unpasteurized soft cheese / feta).
Sources: FDA — Food Safety for Pregnant Women
Last Updated: 2026-09-07
How we review: Written by the PregnancySafeFoods editorial team and checked against FDA guidance used on this page (avoid unpasteurized soft cheese / feta). Our editorial policy.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific dietary needs during pregnancy.
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