Can I eat paneer and cheese during pregnancy?
Depends Paneer and hard cheese: yes · Unpasteurised and mould-ripened soft cheese: avoid unless cooked
Paneer made from pasteurised or boiled milk is safe in pregnancy, as are hard cheeses and processed cheese. Avoid unpasteurised cheese and soft mould-ripened or blue cheeses, such as brie, camembert and gorgonzola, unless they're cooked until steaming hot.
Is paneer and cheese safe in pregnancy?
Some cheeses can carry listeria, a bacterium that can cause listeriosis. It's rare, but it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or serious illness in a newborn. Listeria is killed by pasteurisation and by thorough cooking. Paneer made at home from boiled milk, or bought from a reputable brand made with pasteurised milk, is safe.
Benefits
- Paneer is rich in protein and calcium
- Cheese is a good source of calcium for your baby's bones
- A handy vegetarian protein
Risks to know about
- Unpasteurised (raw milk) cheese may carry listeria
- Soft mould-ripened and soft blue cheeses can support listeria growth
- Paneer from street stalls may be made with unboiled milk
How to eat it safely
- Buy paneer from a trusted brand, or make it at home from boiled milk
- Choose hard cheeses (cheddar, parmesan), processed cheese, halloumi and cream cheese
- Cook brie, camembert or blue cheese until steaming hot if you want them
- Check labels for 'pasteurised'
Questions about paneer and cheese in pregnancy
Is halloumi safe in pregnancy?
Yes, pasteurised halloumi is safe, grilled or raw.
Is labneh safe in pregnancy?
Labneh made from pasteurised milk is safe. Avoid homemade or market labneh if you don't know the milk was pasteurised or boiled.
Can I eat feta while pregnant?
Pasteurised feta is generally considered safe. Avoid feta made from raw milk.
General information, not medical advice. If you have a condition such as gestational diabetes or an allergy, ask your doctor or midwife what's right for you.