Can you eat burrata while pregnant?
SafeYes, burrata is safe during pregnancy when made from pasteurized milk, which is standard in US stores and restaurants. The creamy center follows the same rule as the shell.
Why
Burrata is a fresh mozzarella pouch filled with cream and curd shreds, and the NHS explicitly lists pasteurized burrata among the cheeses that are safe in pregnancy. Unlike brie, it has no mould-ripened rind, so pasteurization settles the question. US-made burrata, which is what nearly all stores and restaurants serve, is made from pasteurized milk and cream. Imported artisanal balls are the ones worth a label check.
Safer alternatives
- Pasteurized fresh mozzarella
- Pasteurized ricotta on toast for the creamy fix
- Pasteurized cottage cheese
Sources
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
Why is burrata fine when brie is not?
The difference is the rind: brie is mould-ripened, which keeps the cheese moist and hospitable to Listeria even after pasteurization, while burrata is a fresh cheese with no ripening rind. With burrata, pasteurized milk means safe, and the NHS lists it that way.
Is restaurant burrata safe to order?
In the US, almost certainly: domestic burrata is pasteurized and restaurants overwhelmingly use it because it is fresher than imports. If the menu makes a point of a raw-milk import, ask, and pick something else if nobody knows.
Does the liquid the burrata sits in matter?
The brine or whey is part of the same pasteurized product and is fine. What matters more is freshness: burrata is best, and safest, eaten well within its date and kept properly cold until serving.
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