can i eat feta when pregnant

Feta cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy only if it is made from pasteurized milk. Unpasteurized feta cheese carries a risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, which can be harmful to both the pregnant person and the unborn baby, possibly causing miscarriage or severe illness. It is important to check labels to ensure the feta cheese is pasteurized before consumption while pregnant. Cooking feta cheese also reduces risk, but raw or unpasteurized feta should be avoided. This is consistent with general recommendations to avoid unpasteurized soft cheeses during pregnancy due to listeria risk.