Blue Cheese

Safety Status: Avoid Unless Pasteurized & Cooked

Soft blue-veined cheeses—such as Gorgonzola, Roquefort, Stilton, and Danish Blue—are generally placed in the avoid category during pregnancy unless they are confirmed to be pasteurized and, ideally, cooked until bubbling hot.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advise pregnant individuals to avoid soft blue cheeses. Because these cheeses are moist, have low acidity, and feature mold-veined structures, they provide an ideal breeding ground for Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeriosis (Listeria infection) is a serious concern for pregnant individuals, as it is 10 times more likely to infect them than the general population. The bacteria can cross the placenta, potentially causing miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, or severe neonatal illness.

Safe Alternatives & Cooking Guidelines

You do not have to give up the flavor profile of blue cheese completely. Follow these guidelines to enjoy it safely:

• Cook Until Steaming: The most effective way to make blue cheese safe is to heat it. Cooking blue cheese in sauces, on pizzas, or in baked dishes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) or is bubbling hot kills Listeria bacteria.
• Choose Hard Cheeses: Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, and Parmesan have very low moisture contents, which prevents Listeria growth, making them safe even if they are made from raw milk.
• Pasteurized Soft Options: Look for pasteurized cream cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta, or mozzarella, which are safe options.

Kitchen Hygiene and Storage

If you use pasteurized blue cheese in your home cooking:

• Check the Label: Ensure domestic or imported blue cheese is explicitly labeled “made from pasteurized milk.”
• Avoid Cross-Contamination: Clean knives, cutting boards, and countertops thoroughly after preparing soft cheeses to prevent spreading pathogens to other raw foods.
• Refrigerate Properly: Keep your refrigerator set to 40°F (4°C) or below. Throw away opened packages of soft cheese after 5 to 7 days, even if they are pasteurized.