Can I Eat Mozzarella When Pregnant?

Can you eat mozzarella when pregnant? The short answer: Yes — mozzarella is safe in pregnancy if it is made from pasteurised milk. Mozzarella is one of the most widely eaten cheeses in the UK, appearing on pizzas, in salads, and in countless other dishes. The good news is that most mozzarella sold in British supermarkets is made from pasteurised milk, and when it is cooked — as on a pizza — it is safe regardless.

Quick Answer

Mozzarella in pregnancy: Yes — pasteurised milk mozzarella is safe, and cooked mozzarella is always safe

Supermarket mozzarella in the UK is almost always made from pasteurised milk and is safe to eat throughout pregnancy. Mozzarella on a hot pizza or baked into dishes is completely safe because cooking eliminates any bacterial risk.

Why Does Pasteurisation Matter for Mozzarella?

The critical factor is pasteurisation. Pasteurised milk has been heat-treated to destroy harmful pathogens including listeria and salmonella. Mozzarella made from pasteurised milk is safe to eat in pregnancy — cooked or uncooked.

The two situations to be more careful about are:

1. Buffalo mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala) — traditional varieties may be made from unpasteurised buffalo milk. In the UK, most buffalo mozzarella in supermarkets is pasteurised, but it is worth checking the label as it is less universally standardised than regular cow's milk mozzarella.

2. Artisan or imported mozzarella — bought at a deli, Italian deli, or directly from a specialist producer, it may occasionally be unpasteurised. Check the label or ask.

NHS Guidance on Mozzarella

The NHS also notes that cooking eliminates the listeria risk. This means that mozzarella on a pizza, in a baked pasta dish, or in any hot cooked food is safe regardless of whether it started as pasteurised or unpasteurised milk, because the heat destroys any bacteria present.

Mozzarella is a useful source of calcium and protein during pregnancy. It is also relatively mild in flavour, which can make it more appealing if pregnancy has altered your taste for stronger foods.

How to Eat Mozzarella Safely

• Check supermarket labels — standard cow's milk mozzarella in UK supermarkets is almost always pasteurised. The label will confirm this.
• Buffalo mozzarella — check the label. Most supermarket buffalo mozzarella is pasteurised, but it is worth verifying.
• Cooked mozzarella is always safe — if it is on a hot pizza or baked into a dish, there is no concern at all, regardless of the type.
• Fresh mozzarella in salads — a classic caprese salad with fresh mozzarella is fine as long as the mozzarella is pasteurised. It is one of the most common pregnancy-safe summer meals.
• Store correctly — keep mozzarella in the fridge, submerged in its liquid if possible, and use within the date on the packet.

Mozzarella is one of the more versatile and pregnancy-friendly cheeses available. Melted on a pizza, layered in a lasagne, or torn over a tomato salad, it is easy to enjoy safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Mozzarella on a cooked pizza is completely safe during pregnancy. The cooking process heats the cheese to a temperature that eliminates any listeria or other bacterial risk. Whether the pizza is homemade, takeaway, or from a restaurant, the cooked mozzarella on top is not something you need to worry about.

Is fresh mozzarella safe in pregnancy?

Yes, as long as it is made from pasteurised milk, which is standard for UK supermarket mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella eaten cold — such as in a salad — is safe when it is pasteurised and stored and handled correctly. If buying from an Italian deli or specialist supplier, check the label.

What if I accidentally ate mozzarella made from unpasteurised milk while pregnant?

Try not to worry. The risk from a single exposure is generally low. The symptoms of listeriosis — which can include fever, flu-like symptoms, nausea, or diarrhoea — may take some time to appear if infection does occur. If you feel unwell in the weeks after, contact your GP or midwife and mention what you ate. In the vast majority of cases, no harm results from a single exposure.

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

Last reviewed: June 2026

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