Is Athenos Feta Cheese Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated July 15, 2026
Athenos Feta Cheese
Athenos
Athenos Feta Cheese receives a C+ for pregnancy. It is made with pasteurized Milk, but feta is a soft brined cheese, so careful refrigeration, storage, and handling still matter because of potential Listeria contamination.
You can use this, but maybe don't make it your everyday go to. Not the end of the world if you've used it. Consult your OBGYN or midwife if you have concerns.
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What Ingredients Are in Athenos Feta Cheese?
Athenos Feta Cheese has 8 ingredients. We flagged 1 ingredient to use with caution.
feta cheese pasteurized part skim milk
CAUTION
Feta Cheese pasteurized part skim Milk is a soft brined cheese used in Mediterranean cuisine. This feta is made with pasteurized milk, reducing the primary Listeria concern associated with unpasteurized soft cheese, although proper refrigeration and handling still matter.
cheese culture
SAFE
Cheese culture is a collection of beneficial bacteria used to ferment Milk and develop the flavor, texture, and characteristic qualities of cheese. Cheese cultures are used to ferment milk and are not identified here as a pregnancy concern at ordinary food amounts.
dried garlic
SAFE
Dried garlic is dehydrated garlic cloves that offer a concentrated, savory flavor ideal for seasoning and cooking. Dried garlic used as a food seasoning is not identified here as a pregnancy concern at ordinary dietary amounts.
enzymes
SAFE
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. Cheese making enzymes are not identified here as a pregnancy concern at the amounts present in food.
natamycin
SAFE
Natamycin is a natural antifungal agent commonly used as a food preservative to inhibit mold and yeast growth on dairy products and other foods. Natamycin is used on dairy foods to inhibit mold and yeast and is not identified here as a pregnancy concern at ordinary food preservative exposure.
powdered cellulose to prevent caking
SAFE
Powdered cellulose is a natural, inert additive used to prevent caking and improve flowability in powdered products. Powdered cellulose is an inert anti caking additive and is not identified here as a pregnancy concern at ordinary food amounts.
salt
SAFE
Salt is a mineral essential for flavor enhancement and preserving food. Salt is not identified here as a pregnancy specific hazard at ordinary dietary amounts, though feta can contribute to overall sodium intake.
spice
SAFE
A spice is a flavorful, aromatic substance derived from plants, used to enhance the taste and aroma of dishes. The unspecified spice blend is not identified here as a pregnancy concern at the small amounts used to flavor food.
Answering Your Questions
How much Athenos Feta Cheese is safe during pregnancy?
Enjoy a modest serving as part of a balanced meal rather than making feta your main protein source. Because feta contains salt, consider your overall sodium intake, especially if your clinician has advised you to limit it.
Can you use Athenos Feta Cheese daily while pregnant?
Pasteurized feta can be eaten occasionally during pregnancy when it has been properly refrigerated and is within its use by period. Follow the package’s storage directions and discard it if it has been left out too long, stored improperly, or shows signs of spoilage.
Why did Athenos Feta Cheese receive a C+ grade?
The C+ comes from ingredient based scoring that flags feta as a soft brined Cheese requiring caution because unpasteurized feta can carry Listeria, which can cause serious pregnancy complications. This product lists pasteurized part skim Milk, which addresses the primary concern, but safe storage and handling remain important.
Is Athenos Feta Cheese pasteurized?
Yes. The ingredient list identifies the feta as being made from pasteurized part skim Milk.
What kind of feta is safest during pregnancy?
Choose feta clearly labeled as made with pasteurized Milk and sold under proper refrigeration. Keep it cold, follow the package instructions, and avoid products with uncertain pasteurization or storage histories.
What should I do if I accidentally ate feta while pregnant?
If it was pasteurized and properly refrigerated, the main ingredient based concern is reduced. If it was unpasteurized, mishandled, recalled, or you develop symptoms of foodborne illness, contact your healthcare professional for individualized advice.
Can I eat Athenos Feta Cheese while breastfeeding?
Pasteurized feta is generally compatible with breastfeeding when it is properly stored and eaten as part of a balanced diet. Ask your healthcare professional if you have dietary restrictions or concerns about sodium.
What are pregnancy friendly alternatives to feta?
Look for clearly labeled pasteurized cheeses that have been properly refrigerated. If you want to reduce sodium, compare labels and choose a lower sodium pasteurized Cheese rather than assuming every feta style product is equivalent.
What Are Pregnancy Safe Alternatives to Athenos Feta Cheese?
Here are some solid alternatives. Everything below has an A or B grade, meaning no flagged ingredients in our database.
| Grade | Product | Brand | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Burrata | Belgioioso | cheese |
| A | Parmesan Cheese | Kraft | cheese |
| A | Goats Cheese | Krinos | cheese |
| A | Garlic & Fine Herbs Gournay Cheese | — | cheese |
Are Other Athenos Products Safe During Pregnancy?
We looked at 9 other Athenos products. 4 are pregnancy safe (A or B grade), while 5 need a closer look.
| Grade | Product | Type |
|---|---|---|
| A | Athenos Artichoke Garlic Hummus | hummus |
| A | Athenos Traditional Chunk Feta Cheese | cheese |
| A | Athenos Traditional Feta Cheese Crumbles | — |
| A | Athenos Whole Wheat Baked Pita Chips | — |
How Does Athenos Feta Cheese Compare to Other Cheeses?
We graded 10,538 Cheeses for pregnancy safety. Here's how they stack up:
Athenos Feta Cheese earns a C+ grade, placing it among the top of Cheeses. Good news: most options in this category (86%) are pregnancy safe, so you've got plenty to choose from.
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
References
- https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/pregnancy/feta during pregnancy
- https://mothertobaby.org/fact sheets/listeriosis pregnancy/
- https://www.foodsafety.gov/people at risk/pregnant women
- https://www.parents.com/can you eat feta cheese while pregnant-8671657
- https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy pregnancy/pregnancy concerns/listeria during pregnancy/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/feta cheese during pregnancy
- https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical guidance/committee opinion/articles/2014/12/management of pregnant women with presumptive exposure to listeria monocytogenes
- https://www.reddit.com/r/BabyBumps/comments/11pd4ta/can_you_eat_feta_cheese_during_your_pregnancy/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases conditions/listeria infection/symptoms causes/syc-20355269
- https://www.thebump.com/a/soft cheeses during pregnancy