Is String Cheese Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
Yes, string cheese is safe during pregnancy. Nearly all commercial string cheese in the US is made from pasteurized milk, making it a safe and convenient snack for pregnant women.
String cheese is one of the safest cheese options during pregnancy because it's made from pasteurized mozzarella. The main concern with dairy during pregnancy is listeria from unpasteurized products, but standard string cheese from grocery stores uses pasteurized milk. It's also a great source of calcium and protein for you and your baby.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Pasteurized milk listed in the ingredients (virtually all US brands use this)
- • Major grocery store brands like Frigo, Galbani, Sargento, Kraft, or Organic Valley
- • Proper refrigeration - check that the package is cold and sealed
- • A valid expiration date with plenty of time remaining
- • Simple ingredient lists: milk, cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes
✗ What to Avoid
- • Artisanal or imported string cheese without clear pasteurization labeling
- • String cheese from farmers markets unless confirmed pasteurized
- • Packages that have been left unrefrigerated or have broken seals
- • String cheese past its expiration date or with unusual odor or texture
- • Flavored varieties with processed meat (like pepperoni snack packs) which may contain sodium nitrite
Most Common Ingredients in String Cheese Products
We analyzed 353 string cheese products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in String Cheese
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 353 string cheese products we analyzed.
and sage
CAUTION
And sage is a culinary herb used in cooking and teas. Contains thujone which may trigger uterine contractions and increase miscarriage risk.
Found in 1 of 353 products (0%)
blue 1
CAUTION
Blue 1 is a synthetic blue food coloring. Has limited human pregnancy data with possible neurobehavioral effects in animal studies.
Found in 1 of 353 products (0%)
red 40
CAUTION
Red 40 is a synthetic red food coloring. May affect neurobehavioral development based on animal studies at high doses.
Found in 1 of 353 products (0%)
sodium nitrite
CAUTION
Sodium nitrite is a preservative used to cure meats. May cause fetal hypoxia and has been associated with neural tube defects at high exposures.
Found in 1 of 353 products (0%)
yellow 5
CAUTION
Yellow 5 is a synthetic yellow food coloring. Has shown embryotoxic effects in recent animal studies at high doses.
Found in 1 of 353 products (0%)
String Cheese Products We've Analyzed
We graded 353 string cheese products for pregnancy safety. 278 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe String Cheese Products
We found 278 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Organic String Cheese | Organic Valley |
| A | Original Low Moisture Park Skim Mozzarella String Cheese, Original | Frigo |
| A | String Cheese | — |
| A | String Cheese | Galbani |
| A | Low Moisture Part Skim Mozzarella String Cheese | — |
Your Questions Answered
Can pregnant women eat string cheese?
Yes, pregnant women can safely eat string cheese. String cheese is made from mozzarella, which is a low moisture, pasteurized cheese. In the United States, virtually all commercial string cheese brands use pasteurized milk, eliminating the risk of listeria that comes with unpasteurized dairy products. It's actually an excellent pregnancy snack because it provides calcium and protein in a convenient, portion controlled format.
What are the risks of string cheese during pregnancy?
The risks of string cheese during pregnancy are minimal when you choose pasteurized varieties from reputable brands. The primary concern with any cheese during pregnancy is listeria, a bacteria that can cause serious complications. However, pasteurized string cheese is considered safe because the pasteurization process kills harmful bacteria. The only real risks come from improper storage, eating expired cheese, or choosing rare unpasteurized varieties.
Can I eat a cheese string when pregnant?
Yes, you can eat cheese strings when pregnant. They're made from pasteurized mozzarella cheese, which is safe for pregnancy. Just check that the package says the cheese is made from pasteurized milk, though this is standard for all major brands sold in US grocery stores. String cheese is actually a popular pregnancy snack because it's portable, doesn't require preparation, and provides a good dose of calcium and protein.
What cheese is off limits while pregnant?
Cheeses to avoid during pregnancy include soft, unpasteurized varieties like some feta, Brie, Camembert, blue veined cheeses, and fresh goat cheese made from raw milk. These can harbor listeria bacteria. However, string cheese is not on this list because it's a hard, pasteurized cheese. The key is to avoid unpasteurized (raw milk) cheeses and soft ripened varieties. When in doubt, check the label for 'pasteurized milk' in the ingredients.
What string cheese is pasteurized?
Virtually all string cheese sold in US grocery stores is pasteurized. Major brands like Frigo, Galbani, Sargento, Kraft, Organic Valley, and store brands from Kroger, Great Value, and Market Pantry all use pasteurized milk. By law, most commercially sold cheese in the US must be made from pasteurized milk or aged for at least 60 days. Since string cheese is a fresh mozzarella product, it's always made with pasteurized milk. You can confirm by checking the ingredient list for 'pasteurized milk.'
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://thehonestmidwife.co.uk/clary sage in pregnancy should you use it or avoid it/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384490/
- https://zenmaitri.com/blogs/herb encyclopedia/sage salvia officinalis
- https://www.midwiferytoday.com/mt articles/sage femme/
- https://mom.com/pregnancy/common and uncommon herbs to avoid during pregnancy
- https://wholisticmatters.com/wp content/uploads/2024/08/Herbal Safety During Pregnancy.pdf
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/sage
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-504/sage
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sage
- https://yeditepehastaneleri.com/en/health guide/mother baby health/be careful when consuming sage during pregnancy
- https://www.rupahealth.com/post/blue-1-dye everything you need to know about this food coloring
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9368057/
- https://www.foodtimes.eu/food system/toxicity of synthetic food colors scientific review/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8821851/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691520303896
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24257113/
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/516443
- https://oehha.ca.gov/sites/default/files/media/downloads/risk assessment/report/fooddyesassessmentdraft082820.pdf
- https://www.cspi.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/resource/food dyes rainbow of risks.pdf
