Can I Eat Cheddar When Pregnant?

Can you eat cheddar when pregnant? The short answer: yes — cheddar is completely safe in pregnancy. It is a hard cheese, and all hard cheeses are given the green light by the NHS, regardless of whether they are made from pasteurised or unpasteurised milk. You can enjoy cheddar freely throughout your pregnancy.

Is Cheddar Safe in Pregnancy?

The reason cheese safety matters in pregnancy is listeria. Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can thrive in certain foods and cause listeriosis, which is rare but potentially serious during pregnancy. Soft, mould-ripened cheeses (like brie and camembert) and soft blue cheeses are the ones to avoid because their high moisture content creates a better environment for listeria.

Cheddar does not carry this risk. It is one of the safer choices you can make.

NHS Guidance on Cheddar in Pregnancy

• Cheddar (mild, mature, extra mature — all fine)
• Parmesan
• Gruyère
• Manchego
• Hard goat's cheese

This applies even if the cheddar is made from unpasteurised (raw) milk, because the hardness and low moisture of the cheese make listeria survival extremely unlikely.

The cheeses to avoid are soft, mould-ripened varieties (brie, camembert, chèvre log) and soft blue cheeses (gorgonzola, roquefort), unless they are cooked until steaming hot throughout.

Cheddar as a nutritional choice

Cheddar is also a genuinely good food choice in pregnancy. It is a useful source of:

• Calcium — essential for your baby's developing bones and teeth, and important for your own bone health as calcium demands increase in pregnancy.
• Protein — supports your baby's growth and your body's changing needs.
• Vitamin A — present in moderate amounts; this is beneficial at normal dietary levels (unlike high-dose vitamin A supplements or liver, which are restricted).
• Vitamin B12 — important for the nervous system.
• Phosphorus — works alongside calcium for bone development.

Mature cheddar tends to be stronger in flavour, so if pregnancy has made your taste preferences more sensitive, a mild cheddar may be more appealing.

How to Eat Cheddar Safely in Pregnancy

• Check use-by dates — fresh cheddar and pre-sliced packs should be used within the date on the packaging.
• Store correctly — keep cheddar wrapped in the fridge; exposure to warm temperatures allows bacteria to multiply more quickly.
• Avoid cross-contamination — use a clean knife and board, especially if you are handling raw meat at the same time.
• Cooked cheddar is fine — melted cheese on toast, in a sauce, or on a jacket potato is perfectly safe.

There is no need to limit how much cheddar you eat, though as with most foods during pregnancy, a balanced varied diet is best overall.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you ate something like brie or camembert by mistake, try not to panic. The risk from a single small exposure is low, but it is worth monitoring for symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, or vomiting in the days following. If you develop symptoms, contact your GP or call 111. For most people, a one-off exposure results in no symptoms at all.

Is cheddar safe to eat in the first trimester?

Yes, absolutely. The same guidance applies throughout all three trimesters. Cheddar is one of the most reliably safe cheese choices from the very start of pregnancy to the end.

Can I eat cheddar on a pizza or in a sandwich?

Yes. Cooked cheddar — in a toastie, on a pizza, or in a pasta bake — is perfectly safe. Cheddar in sandwiches, on crackers, or as a snack is equally fine. There are no restrictions on how cheddar is served.

Always speak to your midwife or GP if you have specific concerns about your diet during pregnancy.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

Last reviewed: June 2026

Related articles:

• Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy
• Pregnancy Vitamins
• Healthy Diet in Pregnancy