Can I eat brie while pregnant?
CHECK FIRSTMain risk: Listeria
Only when cooked until steaming hot. Cold brie — even pasteurised — is a mould-ripened soft cheese that can harbour listeria.
Why
- Mould-ripened soft cheeses (brie, camembert, rind-ripened goat's cheese) are moist and less acidic, which lets listeria grow.
- Listeriosis is rare but can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or serious infection in the newborn.
How to eat it safely
- Baked brie or brie in a hot dish, served steaming hot throughout.
- Hard cheeses such as cheddar or parmesan instead of cold brie.
Safer alternatives
- Cheddar
- Parmesan
- Pasteurised mozzarella
- Cream cheese
Frequently asked
Is pasteurised brie safe during pregnancy?
UK NHS advice is to avoid cold brie even if pasteurised; cooking it until steaming hot makes it safe. US guidance is more lenient for pasteurised brie — when in doubt, cook it.
Is camembert safe when pregnant?
The same rules as brie apply: only when cooked until steaming hot.
Checking a specific product or meal?
Get a personal answer for your trimester and any other allergies or conditions.
Check brie for meGeneral information based on public health guidance (NHS, FDA, ACOG), not medical advice. Always consult your midwife or doctor.