Can you eat ricotta while pregnant?
SafeYes, ricotta is safe during pregnancy as long as it is made from pasteurized milk, which covers the tubs in US grocery stores. Only raw-milk artisanal ricotta needs to wait.
Why
Ricotta is a fresh, high-moisture cheese, so the pasteurization rule is what matters, and it works in your favor: the NHS lists pasteurized ricotta among the safe soft cheeses, and commercial US ricotta is pasteurized by default. It is also one of the more pregnancy-useful cheeses, adding protein and calcium to everything from lasagna to toast. The only versions to skip are raw-milk artisanal ricotta and any tub that has been open too long.
Safer alternatives
- Cottage cheese, pasteurized
- Pasteurized cream cheese
- Pasteurized mascarpone
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
Is the ricotta in baked lasagna always safe?
Yes. Even in the rare raw-milk case, an oven-baked lasagna heats the ricotta well past the temperature that kills Listeria. Baked ricotta dishes are safe across the board.
What about fresh ricotta from an Italian deli?
Ask whether it is made from pasteurized milk; most US delis' ricotta is. If nobody can confirm, save it for a cooked dish or choose a labeled supermarket tub.
How long does an open tub of ricotta stay pregnancy-friendly?
Fresh cheeses are best eaten quickly: keep the tub cold, use clean utensils, and finish it within a few days of opening, well inside the use-by date. If it smells sour or has been sitting out, let it go.
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Get instant verdicts on any foodpregAI is informational only and is not medical advice. Always check with your doctor or midwife about anything specific to your pregnancy.