Can you eat akkawi while pregnant?
Check firstYes, if it's pasteurized. Akkawi is a fresh white cheese kept in brine, so Listeria is the only real question: look for pasteurized milk on the label, and heat the cheese when the label tells you nothing.
Why
Akkawi sits in the same risk category as feta and queso blanco: soft, fresh, high in moisture and stored cold in brine, which is exactly where Listeria thrives. The FDA tells pregnant readers to avoid soft cheeses of that type unless the label says made with pasteurized milk, and the CDC adds that cheese made with raw milk is fine once it has been heated to 165°F or until steaming hot. Vacuum-sealed blocks from a supermarket or a Middle Eastern grocery are nearly always pasteurized and say so; the risk sits with cheese scooped loose from a brine barrel or carried back from a small dairy, where the milk is often raw and nothing is labeled. Most Akkawi is eaten hot anyway, in knafeh, manakish and grilled sandwiches, and that heat settles the question.
Safer alternatives
- pasteurized feta such as Athenos or Président
- pasteurized mozzarella, or halloumi grilled until it squeaks
- Akkawi baked into knafeh or cheese manakish until it bubbles
- labneh or cream cheese made with pasteurized milk for a cold spread
Sources
- FDA https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/ready-eat-foods-food-safety-moms-be
- CDC https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/prevention/index.html
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Last reviewed by the pregAI editorial team.
Frequently asked questions
Is Akkawi pasteurized?
Usually yes when it comes sealed in a block from a store, and the ingredients line will say pasteurized milk. Cheese sold loose from a brine barrel often is not. Treat unlabeled Akkawi as raw-milk cheese and heat it before eating.
Can I eat knafeh while pregnant?
Yes. The Akkawi inside knafeh is baked until it bubbles and stretches, well past the 165°F the CDC asks for, so the Listeria risk is gone. Cheese manakish straight from the oven is fine for the same reason.
Does soaking Akkawi in water make it safe?
No. Soaking pulls out salt, not bacteria, and Listeria survives cold brine and the refrigerator happily. Only pasteurized milk on the label or real heat changes the answer.
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