What Cheeses Are Pasteurized?

Most fresh, soft, and hard cheeses sold in U.S. grocery stores are pasteurized and considered safe for pregnancy.

You probably already know the pregnancy cheese rule: skip the soft stuff. But the rule is older than most modern grocery stores, and it misses a key detail. Mozzarella, feta, ricotta, and cottage cheese are soft, yet they are almost always pasteurized in the United States.

The honest answer is that in the United States, the vast majority of cheeses you will find on a standard grocery store shelf are pasteurized. This includes everything from sharp cheddar to creamy brie (at the commercial level). The real skill is knowing which specific types are consistently pasteurized and which imported or traditional varieties warrant a closer look at the label.

What “Pasteurized” Actually Means for Your Plate

Pasteurization is a gentle heating process that kills potentially harmful bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes without fundamentally changing the flavor or texture of the milk. For cheese lovers, it marks the difference between a product that is generally considered safe during pregnancy and one that carries a small but real risk of listeriosis.

MotherToBaby explains that cheese which has not been pasteurized carries an increased risk for bacteria such as Listeria. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) notes that while the overall risk is low, pregnant individuals are about 10 times more likely to get a Listeria infection than the general population — which is why health officials recommend avoiding soft cheeses and any products made with raw milk.

The pasteurization step essentially removes that specific worry. When you see “made with pasteurized milk” on the package, you know the harmful bacteria have been neutralized before the cheese was ever formed.

Why the “Soft Cheese” Rule Feels Confusing

The old rule — avoid soft cheese during pregnancy — sticks around for a reason. It is simple and easy to remember. But it is incomplete, and that incompleteness leads to unnecessary worry in the dairy aisle.

• Soft cheese can be pasteurized. Mozzarella, feta, ricotta, cottage cheese, and cream cheese are almost always pasteurized in the U.S. They are safe options.
• Hard cheese is nearly always pasteurized. Cheddar, Parmesan, Monterey Jack, Colby, and Muenster are typically made from pasteurized milk and are generally considered safe.
• The exceptions are specific. Queso fresco, some imported fetas, and blue cheeses like Roquefort are more likely to be made with raw milk.
• Imported cheese is the wildcard. Cheesemakers in Europe and other regions often use raw milk intentionally for flavor, so the label check matters more here.
• The label is your friend. “Made with pasteurized milk” is a clear green light. If it says “raw milk” or “unpasteurized,” the caution rule applies.

The confusion usually comes from lumping all soft cheeses together. Once you know which soft styles are standardly pasteurized in the U.S., the list feels much more manageable and you can enjoy your cheese plate with less stress.

Common Cheeses You Can Usually Trust (And One Big Exception)

Most domestic supermarket cheese is pasteurized. This includes American cheese, Colby, cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, Colby Jack, mozzarella, and Muenster. These are widely available and generally considered safe options during pregnancy.

The major exception is queso fresco-style cheeses. The FDA specifically warns high-risk groups — pregnant women, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems — to avoid them. These fresh Hispanic-style cheeses are traditionally made with raw milk and have been linked to Listeria outbreaks. The FDA queso fresco warning is worth reading if this is a staple in your kitchen.

The bottom line is that most cheese is safe, but a few specific types require checking the label or skipping them entirely if you fall into a high-risk group.

4 Simple Ways to Tell If a Cheese Is Pasteurized

If you are standing in the dairy aisle and are not sure about a particular cheese, these four checks will give you a clear answer quickly.

1. Check the ingredient list. Look for the phrase “made with pasteurized milk” near the bottom of the label. If it is not there, assume it might be unpasteurized.
2. Look for the word “raw.” If it says “raw milk cheese” anywhere on the package, skip it during pregnancy and consider cooking it thoroughly if you choose to eat it.
3. Know the varieties that are typically pasteurized. Hard cheeses like cheddar and fresh cheeses like mozzarella are almost always pasteurized in the U.S. This knowledge makes shopping faster.
4. Ask the cheesemonger. At a farmer’s market or specialty store, just ask. If they do not know the answer, it is safer to choose something else.

These checks become second nature quickly. After a few trips to the store, you will know exactly what to grab without second-guessing yourself.

What About Soft-Ripened and Blue Cheeses?

Soft-ripened cheeses with a white rind, like Brie and Camembert, are a gray area for many shoppers. In the U.S., many commercial versions are pasteurized, but imported versions are more likely to use raw milk for a more complex flavor profile. The Missouri cheese list for pregnancy includes Boursin as a generally safe option because it is typically pasteurized. Reviewing the Missouri cheese list pregnancy guide can help clarify which soft-ripened options are considered safe.

Blue cheeses like Roquefort, Gorgonzola, and Stilton are often made from raw milk, though pasteurized versions exist. If the label does not explicitly say pasteurized, it is safer to skip it or cook it thoroughly to kill any potential bacteria.

The Bottom Line

Most cheese in the American grocery store is pasteurized and presents no listeria risk. Hard cheeses and fresh cheeses like mozzarella and cottage cheese are consistent choices. The main items to watch for are imported soft-ripened cheeses, traditional queso fresco, and any cheese explicitly labeled “raw milk.”

If you are managing a high-risk pregnancy or have specific dietary restrictions, your obstetrician or a registered dietitian can help tailor these pasteurized cheese guidelines to your individual health history.