Is Goat Cheese Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, with caution. Pasteurized goat cheese is safe during pregnancy, but unpasteurized varieties carry a significantly elevated risk of Listeria contamination—50 to 160 times higher than pasteurized cheese.
Goat cheese safety during pregnancy depends entirely on pasteurization. Pregnant women are 10 to 20 times more susceptible to listeriosis than the general population, and infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or severe newborn illness. Soft, surface ripened goat cheeses pose particular risk even when pasteurized due to their moisture content, so always verify the label says pasteurized.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Pasteurized goat cheese from major grocery brands like Trader Joe's, Vermont Creamery, or Laura Chenel
- • Check the label explicitly states 'made from pasteurized goat milk'
- • Hard or aged goat cheeses are generally safer than soft varieties
- • Goat cheese cooked to 165°F (74°C) in hot dishes like baked pasta or pizza
- • Pre packaged, commercially produced goat cheese from refrigerated sections
- • No limit on consumption when pasteurized enjoy as part of a balanced diet
✗ What to Avoid
- • Unpasteurized or raw milk goat cheese carries 50-160x higher listeria risk
- • Soft, surface ripened goat cheeses with white rinds (similar to brie) unless thoroughly cooked
- • Farmers market or artisanal goat cheese without clear pasteurization labeling
- • Imported goat cheese where pasteurization status is unclear
- • Goat cheese from deli counters with unknown origin or handling
- • Any goat cheese products containing alcohol ingredients like port wine or bourbon
Most Common Ingredients in Goat Cheese Products
We analyzed 190 goat cheese products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Goat Cheese
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 190 goat cheese products we analyzed.
port wine
AVOID
Port wine 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 190 products (1%)
red 40
CAUTION
Red 40 is a synthetic red food coloring. May affect neurobehavioral development based on animal studies at high doses.
Found in 2 of 190 products (1%)
artificial flavor horseradish
AVOID
Artificial flavor 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 190 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 1 of 190 products (1%)
ethyl alcohol
AVOID
Ethyl alcohol 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 190 products (1%)
fructose
CAUTION
Fructose 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 190 products (1%)
hibiscus berry base sugar
CAUTION
Hibiscus berry base sugar is a tropical plant used in teas for antioxidant benefits. Has hormonal activity and may have anti implantation effects based on animal studies.
Found in 1 of 190 products (1%)
high fructose corn syrup
CAUTION
High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch and widely used in processed foods and beverages. Has been associated with placental insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, and metabolic programming of offspring in animal studies, and with gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in epidemiological studies of humans.
Found in 1 of 190 products (1%)
Goat Cheese Products We've Analyzed
We graded 190 goat cheese products for pregnancy safety. 165 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Goat Cheese Products
We found 165 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Creamy, Fresh Goat Cheese | Trader Joe'S |
| A | Fine Herbs Chèvre | Trader Joe'S |
| A | Boar'S Head Chevre Goat Cheese | Boar'S Head |
| A | Mild Classic Chevre Fresh Crumbled Goat Cheese, Mild | — |
| A | Original Goat Cheese | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat goat cheese?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat goat cheese as long as it's made from pasteurized milk. Most commercial goat cheese sold in U.S. grocery stores is pasteurized. Always check the label to confirm. Hard and aged goat cheeses are generally safer than soft varieties, and cooking goat cheese to 165°F eliminates any potential listeria risk.
What are the risks of goat cheese during pregnancy?
The primary risk is listeriosis from unpasteurized goat cheese. Pregnant women are 10-20 times more susceptible to this bacterial infection than the general population. Listeria can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or severe illness in newborns. Unpasteurized soft cheeses carry 50-160 times higher listeria risk than pasteurized versions according to FDA estimates.
Is Costco goat cheese pasteurized?
Yes, Costco's Kirkland Signature goat cheese is made from pasteurized goat's milk, making it safe for pregnant women to enjoy. Like most commercially sold goat cheese in the United States, Costco sources pasteurized products. Always verify by checking the ingredient label, which should explicitly state 'pasteurized goat milk' or 'pasteurized goat's milk.'
Why avoid goats when pregnant?
This advice refers to avoiding contact with goats that are giving birth, not eating goat cheese. Pregnant animals including goats can carry infections like Chlamydia abortus and Toxoplasma that can be transmitted to pregnant women during lambing or kidding. This is separate from food safety pasteurized goat cheese from the store is perfectly safe to eat during pregnancy.
Is goat cheese safe during breastfeeding?
Yes, goat cheese is safe to eat while breastfeeding. The listeria concerns that apply during pregnancy are specific to fetal transmission across the placenta. Once your baby is born, you can enjoy both pasteurized and unpasteurized goat cheeses without risk to your nursing infant. Goat cheese provides protein, calcium, and healthy fats beneficial for postpartum recovery.
What types of goat cheese are safe during pregnancy?
Safe options include pasteurized fresh chèvre, pasteurized goat cheese logs, crumbled goat cheese from major brands, and any goat cheese cooked thoroughly in dishes. Brands like Trader Joe's, Vermont Creamery, Boar's Head, Laura Chenel, and Chavrie all use pasteurized milk. Avoid soft ripened varieties with white rinds unless cooked, and always verify pasteurization on the label.
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://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/rawmilk/index.html
- 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
- https://iawpwellnesscoach.com/red-40/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24257113/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-022-00418-9
- https://medisearch.io/blog/red dye-40-and pregnancy
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2060889/
- https://oehha.ca.gov/sites/default/files/media/downloads/risk assessment/document/appendixf082820.pdf
- https://www.reddit.com/r/pregnant/comments/181obac/is_red_40_actually_harmful/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31679476/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9368057/
