Is String Cheese Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated March 23, 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 falls under the dairy category where the main concern is avoiding raw (unpasteurized) milk products. The good news is that virtually all string cheese sold in US grocery stores is made from pasteurized mozzarella, which eliminates the risk of Listeria and other harmful bacteria. With 475 out of 602 products earning an A grade, string cheese is one of the safest cheese options during pregnancy.
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 brands like Frigo, Sargento, and Organic Valley
- • Commercial string cheese from grocery stores - these are required to use pasteurized milk in the US
- • Proper refrigeration - keep string cheese at 40°F or below and check expiration dates
- • Individually wrapped portions for food safety and convenience on the go
- • No limit on consumption when pasteurized - enjoy as a healthy protein and calcium source throughout pregnancy
✗ What to Avoid
- • Unpasteurized or raw milk string cheese - rare but sometimes found at farmers markets or specialty shops
- • Homemade string cheese unless you can verify pasteurized milk was used
- • String cheese left unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours
- • Products past their expiration date or with damaged packaging
- • Imported string cheese without clear pasteurization labeling
Most Common Ingredients in String Cheese Products
We analyzed 602 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 602 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 2 of 602 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 602 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 602 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 602 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 602 products (0%)
String Cheese Products We've Analyzed
We graded 602 string cheese products for pregnancy safety. 475 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe String Cheese Products
We found 475 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Original String Cheese | Frigo Cheeseheads |
| A | Organic String Cheese | Organic Valley |
| A | String Cheese Low Moisture Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese | Sargento |
| A | Original String | Frigo Cheese Heads |
| A | Original String Cheese | Frigo Cheese Heads |
Your Questions Answered
Can I eat a cheese string when pregnant?
Yes, you can safely eat string cheese during pregnancy. Commercial string cheese is made from pasteurized mozzarella, which eliminates the risk of Listeria contamination. Major brands like Frigo Cheeseheads, Sargento, Polly O, and Organic Valley all use pasteurized milk. Just check the label to confirm pasteurization and keep it properly refrigerated.
What cheese is off limits while pregnant?
Soft, unpasteurized cheeses are off limits during pregnancy due to Listeria risk. This includes unpasteurized versions of feta, Brie, Camembert, blue veined cheeses, and fresh goat cheese. However, string cheese is not on this list because it's a semi hard cheese made from pasteurized mozzarella. Always check labels to ensure any cheese you eat is made from pasteurized milk.
What string cheese is pasteurized?
Virtually all commercial string cheese brands in the US are pasteurized. Popular pasteurized options include Frigo Cheeseheads, Organic Valley Stringles, Sargento, Polly O, Galbani, Trader Joe's, and store brands like Great Value and Good & Gather. The FDA requires that cheese sold across state lines be made from pasteurized milk or aged at least 60 days, and string cheese is always made fresh from pasteurized milk.
Is mozzarella string cheese safe during pregnancy?
Yes, mozzarella string cheese is safe during pregnancy when made from pasteurized milk, which is the standard for all major US brands. Mozzarella string cheese provides protein, calcium, and other nutrients beneficial during pregnancy. It's a convenient, portion controlled snack that doesn't require preparation, making it ideal for managing pregnancy hunger and nutrition needs.
How much string cheese can I eat while pregnant?
There's no specific limit on pasteurized string cheese during pregnancy. It's a nutritious snack providing protein and calcium, both important during pregnancy. One stick typically contains about 80 calories and 6-7 grams of protein. Enjoy it as part of a balanced diet. The only consideration is sodium content if you're watching salt intake - one stick has about 200mg of sodium.
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
