Semi-soft cheese

[Mel L]

I know we should avoid soft cheese, but what about semi-soft? Specifically, what about jarlsberg? I just noticed that it is semi-soft, and I have a huge wedge of it in my fridge. I found a UK site that said it is safe (it also listed several that are not considered "safe" in the US). Has anyone heard anything contrary?

[blueridgewoman]

I asked my OB about it and she said that if it's pasteurized, it's fine.

[Ubelle]

I asked my OB about it and she said that if it's pasteurized, it's fine.

:yeah:
MY CMW said the same thing - it goes for soft cheeses as well.

Oddly enough I have found that I had to work to find unpasturized soft/ semi soft cheeses.

[BookGoddess]

It's pretty difficult to find cheese in the US that's not pasteurized. I know because I've tried. And imported cheeses have to aged 60 days per USDA rules (this kills both the good and bad bacteria). I'd eat the cheese and not worry. :)

[blueridgewoman]

Yeah, I generally get imported raw cheese from Whole Foods, but since we have been trying to save money, that has sort of worked itself out. :lol

However, I am going to have a VERY hard time resisting the fresh, raw goat cheese I get each year at our farmer's market. I decided it wasn't really worth the risk, but wow, I am going to miss that so badly.

[jbirdbrain]

How funny...I just logged in with the intention of posting a similar question...I love goat cheese and the kind I buy says "pasteurized" right on the label...is this ok? Tried to do some internet research and couldn't really come up with anything too definitive- most warnings were about imported cheese and didn't mention them being pasteurized or not...Suppose I can give my MW a buzz...

[Ubelle]

jbirdbrain - I ate pasturized goat cheese several times - as long as it say's it's pasturized or the ingrediants list pasturized milk it's fine to eat. You can always check with your MW, but I am sure she would say the same.

Enjoy.

[kkar]

My impression is that:

1) Anything on the label or back label that says made with pasteurized milk is ok to eat while pregnant.

2) Most cheese from major grocery stores only sell pasteurized cheese in the first place.

[Mel L]

Silly me! I forgot that imports have all those strict rules. Considering it is made in Norway, looks like I am safe. That is good because I ate some for lunch, and it was SO good!!!!

[jbirdbrain]

jbirdbrain - I ate pasturized goat cheese several times - as long as it say's it's pasturized or the ingrediants list pasturized milk it's fine to eat. You can always check with your MW, but I am sure she would say the same.

Enjoy.

Yay! I'd hate to give it up if I don't have to...Thanks!!

[sunshine's mama]

I came to post about the same thing...so happy I do'ht have to give up my Havarti..creamy and dill...it's what gets me trhough....lol

[QueenOfThePride]

Personally, I think the whole idea of there being dangerous foods while pregnant is ridiculous. (Except for alcohol.) I eat what I want as long as it's something I'm used to eating.

[BrooklynDoula]

Personally, I think the whole idea of there being dangerous foods while pregnant is ridiculous. (Except for alcohol.) I eat what I want as long as it's something I'm used to eating.

Me too! I ate unpasturized goat cheese from france and everything is fine :D

[stacey0402]

Now I'm craving cheese :shy Just wanted to pop in here to say, I'd eat raw cheese and even raw milk if I trusted the source :thumb

[Mel L]

I have a history of a serious illness that always falls in the category of...if you have had this...be careful of this, this, and this. For that reason, I listen to the warnings about stuff like this. I grew up in a family of ranchers, and I always trusted them. I just have to be more careful now.

[ani'smommy]

I'd eat it, but I drink raw milk and eat raw cheese when I can get it.

[trmpetplaya]

I'd eat it, but I drink raw milk and eat raw cheese when I can get it.

Me too :thumb

love and peace. :love

[joliebebe]

Personally, I think the whole idea of there being dangerous foods while pregnant is ridiculous. (Except for alcohol.) I eat what I want as long as it's something I'm used to eating.

:lol Im totally with that. There are no such 'warnings' for raw cheese or other fresh dairy products while pregnant here in France, where a large percentage of the dairy consumed is raw anyway.

Im pregnant and drinking our raw milk, and will continue to do so. I think its hogwash that a clean, tested, grassfed product can somehow be dangerous. Id be more scared of store bought pasturized stuff to be honest:shy

[lyttlewon]

Personally, I think the whole idea of there being dangerous foods while pregnant is ridiculous. (Except for alcohol.) I eat what I want as long as it's something I'm used to eating.

I was thinking the same thing. I didn't even know there was a rec out there on soft cheese. Do they also recommend drinking bottled water cause our local water has had some boil mandates recently that scare me worse than soft cheese.

[inkedmamajama]

I was thinking the same thing. I didn't even know there was a rec out there on soft cheese. Do they also recommend drinking bottled water cause our local water has had some boil mandates recently that scare me worse than soft cheese.

WORD. i stopped drinking my tapwater as soon as i found out i was pregnant. the water service is so worth it in my opinion. much more important than forgoing cheese and sushi and the like (says the gal with triple cream brie and feta in the fridge and is going for sushi tomorrow night-:thumb )

[Shelsi]

Listeria IS very rare BUT for some reason pregnant women are more likely to contract it and it is pretty serious for the baby as it affects the placenta. So it's just a matter of looking at the statistics and weighing the risk to benefit ratio for yourself.

Personally I have a turkey sandwich almost everyday and I don't usually cook it like you're supposed to (to kill the listeria if there is any). But if I go somewhere that their deli meat handling practice doesn't look too sound (like the Subway next door to my work) then I'll make sure I get a veggie sub or something that is cooked.

[trmpetplaya]

WORD. i stopped drinking my tapwater as soon as i found out i was pregnant. the water service is so worth it in my opinion. much more important than forgoing cheese and sushi and the like (says the gal with triple cream brie and feta in the fridge and is going for sushi tomorrow night-:thumb )

According to my friend who works at a nice sushi restaraunt in town, the pickled ginger kills whatever it is that's dangerous in raw fish (pg brain)... so as long as you eat the ginger with your sushi you should be just fine :thumb And probably even if you don't you'll be fine too, but I just wanted to point that out!

love and peace. :love