Is Cheddar Cheese Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, cheddar cheese is safe during pregnancy when made from pasteurized milk. The vast majority of commercial cheddar cheese in the US is pasteurized and perfectly safe to enjoy.
Cheddar cheese is a hard cheese that's generally considered safe during pregnancy because the aging process and low moisture content make it inhospitable to harmful bacteria like Listeria. Most store bought cheddar is made from pasteurized milk, adding an extra layer of safety. The main concern is avoiding raw milk varieties, which can harbor dangerous pathogens that may cause miscarriage or stillbirth.
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✓ What's Safe
- • Pasteurized cheddar from major grocery store brands like Tillamook, Cabot, or Kerrygold
- • Check the label confirms 'made from pasteurized milk'
- • Pre packaged cheddar with clear ingredient labeling
- • Hard, aged cheddar varieties (mild, medium, sharp, or extra sharp are all safe)
- • No limit on consumption when pasteurized - enjoy as part of a balanced diet for calcium and protein
✗ What to Avoid
- • Raw milk or unpasteurized cheddar cheese - can contain Listeria causing miscarriage and stillbirth
- • Artisan or farmstead cheddar without clear pasteurization labeling
- • Farmers market cheese where pasteurization status is unknown
- • Cheddar varieties infused with alcohol like bourbon cask or beer washed rinds
- • Horseradish flavored cheddar - horseradish has shown developmental concerns in studies
Most Common Ingredients in Cheddar Cheese Products
We analyzed 202 cheddar cheese products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Cheddar Cheese
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 202 cheddar cheese products we analyzed.
unpasteurized milk
AVOID
Unpasteurized milk is raw dairy that has not been heat treated. Can contain Listeria causing miscarriage and stillbirth even without maternal symptoms.
Found in 7 of 202 products (3%)
beer
AVOID
Beer is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 2 of 202 products (1%)
bourbon
AVOID
Bourbon is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 2 of 202 products (1%)
horseradish flavor
AVOID
Horseradish flavor is a pungent root vegetable used as a condiment. Contains compounds that may cause digestive irritation and has shown developmental toxicity in animals.
Found in 1 of 202 products (0%)
natural and artificial horseradish flavor
AVOID
Natural and artificial horseradish flavor is a pungent root vegetable used as a condiment. Contains compounds that may cause digestive irritation and has shown developmental toxicity in animals.
Found in 1 of 202 products (0%)
natural horseradish flavor
AVOID
Natural horseradish flavor is a pungent root vegetable used as a condiment. Contains compounds that may cause digestive irritation and has shown developmental toxicity in animals.
Found in 1 of 202 products (0%)
porter
AVOID
Porter is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 1 of 202 products (0%)
Cheddar Cheese Products We've Analyzed
We graded 202 cheddar cheese products for pregnancy safety. 177 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Cheddar Cheese Products
We found 177 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Grassfed Irish Oak Smoked Cheddar, Grassfed Irish | Mc Call'S |
| A | Aged Irish Cheddar | Kerrygold |
| A | Cheddar Cheese With Smoky Notes, Cheddar | — |
| A | Sharp White Cheddar | Tillamook |
| A | Alpine Style Cheddar Cheese With Herbes De Provence | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat cheddar cheese?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat cheddar cheese that's made from pasteurized milk. Cheddar is a hard cheese, and hard cheeses are considered safe during pregnancy even if made from unpasteurized milk because their low moisture content doesn't support bacterial growth. However, for maximum safety, stick to pasteurized varieties which are the standard at most grocery stores. Cheddar provides excellent calcium and protein for pregnancy.
What are the risks of cheddar cheese during pregnancy?
The primary risk with any cheese during pregnancy is Listeria contamination, which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious illness in newborns. However, this risk is extremely low with cheddar cheese because it's a hard, aged cheese with low moisture. The main concern is raw milk cheddar, which bypasses the pasteurization process that kills harmful bacteria. Some specialty cheddars also contain alcohol (bourbon, beer) or horseradish flavoring, which should be avoided during pregnancy.
Can you eat cheddar cheese when pregnant?
Absolutely. Cheddar cheese is one of the safest cheeses to eat during pregnancy. As a hard cheese, it has a low moisture content that makes it difficult for bacteria like Listeria to survive. Most cheddar sold in US grocery stores is made from pasteurized milk, making it doubly safe. You can enjoy mild, medium, sharp, or extra sharp cheddar without concern. Just check the label to confirm pasteurization and avoid specialty varieties with alcohol infusions.
What cheeses are not okay during pregnancy?
Pregnant women should avoid soft, unpasteurized cheeses like fresh feta, queso fresco, Brie, Camembert, and blue veined cheeses unless they're made from pasteurized milk. These soft cheeses have higher moisture content that can harbor Listeria bacteria. Raw milk cheeses of any type carry additional risk. Hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere are generally safe even when made from raw milk, though pasteurized versions are always the safest choice.
Is sharp cheddar safe during pregnancy?
Yes, sharp cheddar is safe during pregnancy. The 'sharpness' of cheddar refers to how long it's been aged - sharp and extra sharp cheddars are aged longer, which actually makes them even safer because the extended aging further reduces moisture and any potential bacterial presence. Whether you prefer mild, medium, sharp, or extra sharp cheddar, all are safe choices as long as they're made from pasteurized milk.
Do I need to cook cheddar cheese while pregnant?
No, you don't need to cook cheddar cheese during pregnancy. Unlike soft cheeses where cooking to 165°F is sometimes recommended for safety, hard cheeses like cheddar are safe to eat cold, melted, or at room temperature. The low moisture content and aging process make cheddar inhospitable to harmful bacteria. Feel free to enjoy cheddar on sandwiches, in salads, as a snack, or melted in your favorite recipes.
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.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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See our full guide to cheese during pregnancy.
References
- https://med.stanford.edu/news/all news/2013/12/pregnant women young kids urged to avoid raw dairy products.html
- https://epi.utah.gov/wp content/uploads/campy_raw_milk_FS.pdf
- https://www.cdc.gov/food safety/foods/pregnant women.html
- https://mchd.org/consumption of unpasteurized milk can be risky-07-31-25/
- https://www.fda.gov/food/health educators/listeria food safety moms be
- https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/133/1/175/68300/Consumption of Raw or Unpasteurized Milk and Milk
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24344105/
- https://johnsoncounty.in.gov/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=item&id=1871
- https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/RawMilkFactSheet.pdf
- https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping well/foods to avoid/
- https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping well/drinking alcohol while pregnant/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7061927/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7807528/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_alcohol_spectrum_disorder
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3297711/
- https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcohol/risks effects dangers/pregnancy
- https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF Guide/Drinking Alcohol in Pregnancy Fetal Alcohol Effects-093.aspx
- https://www.nature.com/articles/pr200789
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases conditions/fetal alcohol syndrome/symptoms causes/syc-20352901
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15677-fetal alcohol syndrome
