Can I Eat Brie When Pregnant?
Brie is one of those foods that many people miss during pregnancy. The guidance is clear: avoid brie while pregnant unless it has been cooked until piping hot all the way through. Here is everything you need to know about why, and what you can safely enjoy instead.
Why Brie Is Not Safe in Pregnancy
Brie is a soft, mould-ripened cheese. It has a white, bloomy rind and a creamy interior that is never fully cooked during production. That combination makes it one of the cheeses the NHS specifically asks pregnant women to avoid.The key risk is listeria. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperatures. Soft, mould-ripened cheeses like brie provide the right moisture and pH conditions for listeria to thrive, even when the cheese has been stored correctly and is well within its use-by date.
For most healthy adults, listeria causes only a mild flu-like illness. During pregnancy, however, the immune system is naturally suppressed to protect the baby, which makes you more susceptible to infection. In rare cases, listeria can pass through the placenta and cause serious complications, including miscarriage, premature labour, or illness in the newborn. This is why the NHS guidance is cautious and consistent across all trimesters.
NHS Guidance on Brie
The NHS advises pregnant women to avoid all soft mould-ripened cheeses, whether they are made from pasteurised or unpasteurised milk. This includes:- Brie (including flavoured varieties such as brie with garlic or herbs)
- Camembert
- Chèvre (soft goat's cheese with a similar rind)
- Any other cheese with a similar white bloomy rind
Pasteurisation reduces the bacterial load in milk but does not make the finished soft cheese fully safe, because listeria can grow during the ripening process after pasteurisation.
The one exception: if brie is cooked until it is piping hot all the way through — for example, baked brie in a pastry crust — the heat destroys listeria and it is generally considered safe to eat. "Piping hot" means steaming throughout, not just warm on the surface. Check that the centre is fully melted and hot before eating.
Safer Cheese Alternatives in Pregnancy
You do not have to give up cheese entirely. Hard cheeses are safe to eat in pregnancy because their lower moisture content makes them an inhospitable environment for listeria. Safe options include:- Cheddar, Red Leicester, Lancashire — all fine, even made from unpasteurised milk
- Parmesan, Pecorino — safe as hard aged cheeses
- Stilton and other blue-veined hard cheeses — safe because of their lower moisture content
- Mozzarella — safe when made from pasteurised milk and consumed fresh
- Cream cheese and cottage cheese — safe as long as they are pasteurised (check the label)
- Processed cheese (slices, spreads) — generally safe as they are pasteurised
If you are craving the creaminess of brie, a ripe Cheddar or a good cream cheese on crackers can satisfy a similar urge without the risk.
What If I Accidentally Ate Brie?
Do not panic. A single accidental exposure to brie does not mean harm will come to you or your baby. The absolute risk of developing listeriosis from any one exposure is low. Monitor yourself for symptoms such as a high temperature, chills, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea in the days following. If you feel unwell, contact your GP or call NHS 111 and mention that you are pregnant. They can advise you on whether any tests or treatment are needed.Frequently Asked Questions
### What if I accidentally ate brie while pregnant?Don't panic. The risk from a single exposure is low. Watch for flu-like symptoms — fever, muscle aches, nausea, or diarrhoea — in the days that follow. If you feel unwell at all, contact your GP or call 111 and let them know you are pregnant so they can assess you promptly.
Is brie safe if it was made with pasteurised milk?
No. The NHS still advises against soft mould-ripened cheeses even when they are made from pasteurised milk. Listeria can grow during the ripening process after pasteurisation, so pasteurisation alone does not make brie safe. The exception is brie that has been thoroughly cooked until piping hot throughout.
Are there any cheeses I should avoid besides brie?
Yes. All soft mould-ripened cheeses share the same risk profile. Avoid camembert, chèvre with a white rind, and ripened goat's cheese. Also avoid soft blue-veined cheeses such as gorgonzola and roquefort unless thoroughly cooked. Hard blue cheeses such as stilton are fine. If in doubt, ask your midwife.
Speak to your midwife or GP if you have specific concerns about your diet in pregnancy — they are there to help.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Last reviewed: June 2026
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