Is Cheddar Cheese Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 20, 2026
The Answer
Yes, cheddar cheese is safe during pregnancy. The vast majority of cheddar cheese sold in stores is made from pasteurized milk, making it a safe and nutritious choice. Out of 323 products analyzed, 283 received an A grade for pregnancy safety.
Cheddar cheese is one of the safest cheeses to eat during pregnancy because it's a hard cheese made almost exclusively from pasteurized milk in commercial production. The main concern with cheese during pregnancy is Listeria bacteria, which can cause miscarriage or stillbirth. However, hard cheeses like cheddar have low moisture content that makes them inhospitable to bacterial growth, and pasteurization eliminates harmful pathogens.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Pasteurized milk listed on the ingredient label - this is standard for major grocery store brands
- • Hard, aged cheddar from established brands like Tillamook, Cabot, or Kerrygold
- • Pre packaged cheddar from the refrigerated cheese section
- • Any cheddar labeled 'pasteurized' - most commercial cheddar in the US is pasteurized by default
- • No limit on consumption - enjoy cheddar freely as part of a balanced diet for calcium and protein
✗ What to Avoid
- • Raw milk or unpasteurized cheddar - check labels carefully on artisan or specialty cheeses
- • Farmers market cheddar without clear pasteurization labeling
- • Cheddar with alcohol based flavorings like beer, bourbon, or whiskey cheddar
- • Horseradish flavored cheddar varieties during pregnancy
- • Imported artisan cheddar that may use unpasteurized milk - verify before consuming
Most Common Ingredients in Cheddar Cheese Products
We analyzed 323 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 323 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 9 of 323 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 3 of 323 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 323 products (1%)
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 2 of 323 products (1%)
whiskey
AVOID
Whiskey 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 323 products (1%)
horseradish
AVOID
Horseradish 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 323 products (0%)
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 323 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 323 products (0%)
Cheddar Cheese Products We've Analyzed
We graded 323 cheddar cheese products for pregnancy safety. 283 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Cheddar Cheese Products
We found 283 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Vintage Cheddar | Ivy’S Reserve |
| A | Cabot, Vermont Sharp Cheddar | Cabot, Cabot Creamery Cooperative |
| A | Extra Sharp White Cheddar | Tillamook,Tillamook County Creamery Assn. |
| A | Extra Sharp Cheddar | Old Croc |
| A | Medium Cheddar | Tillamook |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat cheddar cheese?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat cheddar cheese. Cheddar is a hard cheese that is almost always made from pasteurized milk in commercial production. Hard cheeses like cheddar are considered safe during pregnancy because their low moisture content and aging process create an environment where harmful bacteria like Listeria cannot easily survive. Major brands like Tillamook, Cabot, and Kerrygold all use pasteurized milk in their cheddar production.
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 made from pasteurized milk. The only cheddar varieties to avoid are those made from raw or unpasteurized milk, which are rare and typically found only at specialty cheese shops or farmers markets. Always check the label if you're unsure.
Can you eat cheddar cheese when pregnant?
Absolutely. Cheddar cheese is one of the safest cheese options during pregnancy. According to NHS guidelines, all hard cheeses including cheddar, Parmesan, and Gruyere are safe to eat during pregnancy regardless of whether they're made from pasteurized or unpasteurized milk, because the hard texture and low moisture make them resistant to Listeria growth. That said, pasteurized cheddar (which is the standard in most stores) provides an extra layer of safety.
What cheeses are not okay during pregnancy?
Cheeses to avoid during pregnancy include soft, unpasteurized varieties like some feta, fresh goat cheese, Brie, Camembert, blue veined cheeses, and Mexican queso fresco. These soft cheeses have higher moisture content that can harbor Listeria bacteria. Hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and aged Gouda are safe because their firm texture and aging process inhibit bacterial growth. When in doubt, choose pasteurized hard cheeses.
Is sharp cheddar safe during pregnancy?
Yes, sharp cheddar is safe during pregnancy. Sharp cheddar is simply cheddar that has been aged longer, which gives it a stronger flavor. The aging process actually makes it even safer, as the extended time allows for further moisture reduction and acid development that inhibits bacterial growth. Popular sharp cheddar brands like Tillamook Extra Sharp and Cabot Vermont Sharp are all made from pasteurized milk and are completely safe for pregnant women.
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
