Can you eat unpasteurized mozzarella while pregnant?
Not advisedSkip unpasteurized mozzarella during pregnancy. It is a soft, high-moisture, low-acid cheese, which is the exact environment Listeria thrives in, and raw milk means nothing has killed that bacteria.
Why
Listeria monocytogenes from unpasteurized milk survives and multiplies in fresh mozzarella because the cheese is wet, mild, and not aged. In pregnancy, Listeria can cross the placenta and cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe infection in the newborn, even when the mother only feels mildly unwell. The CDC tells pregnant people not to eat soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, and the NHS puts soft cheeses made with raw milk on its list of foods to avoid. Cooking changes the picture: mozzarella baked until it is bubbling and steaming hot, as on a pizza, is fine.
Safer alternatives
- Pasteurized fresh mozzarella, sold as BelGioioso, Galbani, or any ball labeled pasteurized milk
- Pasteurized low-moisture block mozzarella for melting
- Pizza or lasagna with the mozzarella baked until bubbling and steaming hot
- Pasteurized ricotta or cottage cheese in a caprese-style salad
- Halloumi, pan-fried until golden
Sources
- CDC https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/prevention/index.html
- NHS https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
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
How do I know if the mozzarella I bought is pasteurized?
Check the ingredient list for the words pasteurized milk, which is required on US labels. Nearly all supermarket mozzarella in the United States is pasteurized. The raw milk versions turn up mainly at farmers markets, cheese counters, and on trips to Italy, where buffalo mozzarella is sometimes made with raw milk.
I ate unpasteurized mozzarella before I knew. What now?
The odds are strongly in your favor, since Listeria infection is rare even after eating a risky food. Watch yourself for about two months for fever, chills, muscle aches, or flu-like symptoms, and call your provider if any of those show up. Do not wait it out if you spike a fever.
Is mozzarella on pizza safe if it was made with raw milk?
Yes, as long as it comes out of the oven bubbling and steaming hot. Thorough heating kills Listeria. The caution applies to raw milk mozzarella eaten cold, such as in a caprese salad or on a cheese board.
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