Is Mascarpone Cheese Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, mascarpone cheese is safe during pregnancy when made from pasteurized milk and cream. The vast majority of commercial mascarpone sold in the US is pasteurized and poses no risk to pregnant women.
Mascarpone is a soft Italian cream cheese that's generally safe during pregnancy because commercial brands use pasteurized dairy. The main concern with soft cheeses during pregnancy is listeria contamination, but pasteurization eliminates this risk. Of the 17 mascarpone products we analyzed, 16 received an A grade for pregnancy safety.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Pasteurized mascarpone from major grocery store brands like Belgioioso, Galbani, or store brands
- • Check the label confirms 'pasteurized milk' or 'pasteurized cream' in the ingredients
- • Sealed, refrigerated containers from the dairy section
- • Products within their use by date and properly refrigerated at 40°F or below
- • No limit on consumption when pasteurized - enjoy in moderation as part of a balanced diet
✗ What to Avoid
- • Unpasteurized or raw milk mascarpone, often found at specialty cheese shops or farmers markets
- • Imported artisanal mascarpone without clear pasteurization labeling
- • Mascarpone left at room temperature for extended periods
- • Products past their expiration date or with broken seals
- • Traditional tiramisu made with raw eggs (the mascarpone itself is fine, but raw eggs are not)
Most Common Ingredients in Mascarpone Cheese Products
We analyzed 17 mascarpone cheese products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Mascarpone Cheese
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 17 mascarpone cheese products we analyzed.
sodium benzoate
CAUTION
Sodium benzoate is a food preservative in beverages and processed foods. Has shown birth defects in animal studies at high doses and may form benzene when combined with vitamin C.
Found in 1 of 17 products (6%)
Mascarpone Cheese Products We've Analyzed
We graded 17 mascarpone cheese products for pregnancy safety. 16 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Mascarpone Cheese Products
We found 16 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Mascarpone Cheese | Belgioioso |
| A | Mascarpone Cheese, Mascarpone | — |
| A | Mascarpone Delicious, Creamy, Spreadable Cheese For Bagels, Toast And Tiramisu, Mascarpone | — |
| A | Mascarpone Cheese | — |
| A | Il Villaggio, Mascarpone Cheese | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat mascarpone cheese?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat mascarpone cheese as long as it's made from pasteurized milk and cream. Nearly all mascarpone sold in US grocery stores is pasteurized, making it safe during pregnancy. Always check the label to confirm pasteurization, and store it properly in the refrigerator. Mascarpone is a great option for pregnant women who want to enjoy creamy desserts or savory dishes.
What are the risks of mascarpone cheese during pregnancy?
The primary risk with any soft cheese during pregnancy is listeria, a bacteria that can cause serious complications including miscarriage and stillbirth. However, pasteurized mascarpone eliminates this risk because the pasteurization process kills harmful bacteria. The only real concern is consuming unpasteurized mascarpone or products that have been improperly stored. When purchasing from reputable grocery stores and checking for pasteurization, mascarpone is very low risk.
Can pregnant ladies eat mascarpone cheese?
Yes, pregnant ladies can eat mascarpone cheese safely. Mascarpone is made from pasteurized cream in most commercial products, which makes it safe during pregnancy. The NHS and other health authorities confirm that soft cheeses made from pasteurized milk are fine to eat when pregnant. Just verify the label says 'pasteurized' and ensure proper refrigeration.
Is mascarpone cream pasteurized?
Yes, commercially produced mascarpone cream is almost always pasteurized. Major brands like Belgioioso, Galbani, and most store brands use pasteurized cream and milk in their mascarpone. You can confirm this by checking the ingredients list, which should state 'pasteurized cream' or 'pasteurized milk.' If the label doesn't mention pasteurization, contact the manufacturer or choose a different brand.
Why no tiramisu when pregnant?
The concern with tiramisu during pregnancy isn't the mascarpone cheese it's the raw eggs and alcohol traditionally used in the recipe. Classic tiramisu contains uncooked egg yolks, which carry a risk of salmonella. It also typically includes coffee liqueur or marsala wine. Pregnant women can enjoy tiramisu made with pasteurized eggs (or no eggs) and without alcohol. The mascarpone component is perfectly safe when pasteurized.
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.
People Also Checked
Feta Cheese
3 products
Goat Cheese
190 products
Ricotta Cheese
207 products
String Cheese
353 products
Mozzarella Cheese
18 products
Cottage Cheese
789 products
Cheddar Cheese
202 products
Cheese
12,294 products
See our full guide to cheese during pregnancy.
References
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11921639/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26014016/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9003278/
- https://motherfigure.com/safe skincare/sodium benzoate/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/bdrb.20187
- https://millionmarker.com/pages/pregnancy fertility chemical sodium benzoate
- https://turkishneurosurgery.org.tr/pdf.php?id=1502
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3114665/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006291X18312488
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/what to know about sodium benzoate
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sodium benzoate
- https://mothertobaby.org/studies/ut refer gastro/?print=print
- https://hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=FoodSubstances&id=SODIUMBENZOATE
- https://www.mondstar.com/buying guide/sodium benzoate buying guide/
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13102818.2016.1224979
- https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical guidance/committee opinion/articles/2017/08/antenatal corticosteroid therapy for fetal maturation
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3821876/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-62131-7
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582985/
- https://www.mandysacher.com/blogs/6toppreservativestoavoid
