Is Brie Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)

Updated April 13, 2026

The Answer

Yes, with caution. Brie made from pasteurized milk is safe during pregnancy. Most brie sold in U.S. grocery stores is pasteurized, but always check the label to confirm before eating.

Brie is a soft cheese with high moisture content, which can support the growth of listeria bacteria if made from unpasteurized milk. Listeria infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious complications for newborns. The good news is that pasteurized brie eliminates this risk, and the vast majority of commercially sold brie in the United States is made from pasteurized milk.

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✓ What's Safe

  • • Label clearly states 'pasteurized' or 'made from pasteurized milk'
  • • Brie from major U.S. grocery store brands (typically pasteurized by default)
  • • Baked or heated brie cooked to 165°F (safe regardless of pasteurization)
  • • Individually wrapped or sealed packaging from reputable manufacturers
  • • No quantity limits when eating pasteurized brie

✗ What to Avoid

  • • Unpasteurized or raw milk brie (check label carefully)
  • • Imported brie from countries where raw milk cheese is common (France, some European brands)
  • • Farmers market or artisan brie without clear pasteurization labeling
  • • Brie from deli counters or cheese boards where origin is unknown
  • • Any brie that has been sitting at room temperature for extended periods

Most Common Ingredients in Brie Products

We analyzed 5 brie products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:

salt
100%
enzymes
60%
malted barley flour
40%
cultures
40%
bread flour enriched wheat flour niacin
20%
brie cheese pasteurized milk
20%
ascorbic acid as a dough conditioner
20%
cranberries
20%
blackberry preserves blackberries high fructose corn syrup
20%
cream
20%
culture dextrose
20%
culture dextrose powder maltodextrin
20%

Ingredients to Watch Out For in Brie

These are the most common flagged ingredients across 5 brie products we analyzed.

blackberry preserves blackberries high fructose corn syrup

CAUTION

Blackberry preserves blackberries high fructose corn syrup is a simple sugar found naturally in fruits and added to many processed foods and beverages as high fructose corn syrup. May program offspring for metabolic dysfunction when consumed in excess during pregnancy, with animal studies showing effects on insulin resistance, blood pressure, and neurodevelopment.

Found in 1 of 5 products (20%)

brie cheese pasteurized milk

CAUTION

Brie cheese pasteurized milk is a soft cheese made from cow's milk. May contain listeria if unpasteurized which can cause miscarriage and stillbirth.

Found in 1 of 5 products (20%)

Brie Products We've Analyzed

We graded 5 brie products for pregnancy safety. 3 received an A grade.

A
3 (60%)
B
0 (0%)
C
2 (40%)
D
0 (0%)
F
0 (0%)

Pregnancy Safe Brie Products

We found 3 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.

Grade Product Brand
A Double Creame Brie —
A Double Cream Brie —

Your Questions Answered

Can pregnant women eat brie?

Yes, pregnant women can safely eat brie as long as it's made from pasteurized milk. Most brie sold in U.S. supermarkets is pasteurized, making it safe for pregnancy. Always check the label to confirm pasteurization status before eating. If you're unsure about the source, heating the brie until steaming hot (165°F) will kill any potential listeria bacteria.

What are the risks of brie during pregnancy?

The main risk of eating brie during pregnancy is listeria infection from unpasteurized versions. Listeria can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life threatening infection in newborns. Pregnant women are about 10 times more likely than the general population to get listeriosis. However, this risk is essentially eliminated when eating pasteurized brie from reputable sources.

Is brie pasteurized or unpasteurized?

Most brie sold in the United States is pasteurized. FDA regulations require that soft cheeses sold domestically either be made from pasteurized milk or aged for at least 60 days. Since brie is typically consumed fresh, commercial U.S. brie is almost always pasteurized. However, imported brie or artisan varieties may be unpasteurized, so always check the label before purchasing.

How likely is brie to have listeria?

Soft cheeses like brie have a higher risk of listeria contamination compared to hard cheeses due to their high moisture content. The CDC has linked listeria outbreaks to soft cheeses including brie. However, pasteurization dramatically reduces this risk. When you choose pasteurized brie from a reputable source and store it properly, the likelihood of listeria contamination is very low.

Can I eat baked brie while pregnant?

Yes, baked brie is safe to eat during pregnancy regardless of whether the original cheese was pasteurized. Heating brie to 165°F (74°C) kills listeria bacteria. When brie is baked until melted and steaming hot throughout, it's considered safe for pregnant women. This makes baked brie appetizers and recipes a worry free option during pregnancy.

How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?

We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.

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References

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/index.html
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41575313/
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41319247/
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41466216/
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40737281/
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