The enchanting world of cheeses is vast, and during pregnancy, women often find themselves wondering about safe options. Soft white mould cheeses, known for their velvety texture and subtle flavours, are a particular favourite. In this blog post, we find out whether you can eat soft cheeses during pregnancy.
SEE ALSO: Our complete guide to which cheeses you can eat during pregnancy →
What are soft white mould cheeses?
Also known as bloomy rind cheeses, soft white mould cheeses are a delectable category of cheese celebrated for their luxurious texture and delicate flavours. What defines these cheeses is their velvety, edible white rind, which results from the growth of a specific mould called Penicillium candidum or Penicillium camemberti.
This mould thrives in the moist conditions created by the cheese’s high moisture content and adds a characteristic earthy aroma and complex taste to the cheese. Notable examples include Brie, Camembert, Chaource and Coulommiers, a milder variation similar to Brie.
These famous examples of soft cheeses showcase the diverse range within this category, each offering a delightful sensory experience for cheese aficionados around the world.
Risks associated with soft cheeses during pregnancy
So, this leads us to the big question: “Can you eat soft cheese during pregnancy?”.
While soft cheeses are beloved for their luxurious texture and exquisite taste, they come with specific risks, especially for expectant mothers. The primary concern with these cheeses during pregnancy revolves around the potential presence of harmful bacteria, particularly Listeria monocytogenes.
The soft, moist interior and the edible bloomy rind create an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. As a result, these cheeses are susceptible to contamination.
What is Listeriosis?
Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium found in contaminated food and soil, poses a significant risk, especially to pregnant women. Unlike many other bacteria, Listeria can thrive at refrigeration temperatures, making it a formidable adversary.
While healthy individuals might experience only mild symptoms, for pregnant women, the consequences can be severe. Listeriosis, the infection caused by Listeria, can lead to complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infections in newborns.
Due to the changes in the immune system during pregnancy, expectant mothers are more susceptible to Listeria infections, making it crucial to adopt strict food safety practices.
You can read more about this bacterium and the types of food it often contaminates in our dedicated post here.
Why are soft cheeses at risk of Listeria contamination?
The soft, creamy texture of these cheeses presents an additional challenge. Unlike harder cheeses, the softer varieties have higher moisture content, providing a hospitable environment for bacteria.
Even if made from pasteurised milk, soft white mould cheeses can become contaminated after the pasteurisation process, emphasising the need for cautious consumption.
Are there safer alternatives?
To mitigate these risks, it’s crucial for expectant mothers to opt for safer cheese choices. Hard cheeses, such as Cheddar, Manchego or Gouda, are generally considered safe during pregnancy as they undergo a longer ageing process. This leads to a lower moisture content which reduces the risk of bacterial contamination.
Hence, those pressed cheeses present a better choice for your cheese boards and snacks.
How can you make soft cheese safe?
This is where it gets really interesting. Thoroughly cooking any type of cheese until steaming hot will actually destroy any harmful pathogens that may be present in it. Indeed, most harmful bacteria like Listeria do not survive temperatures above 75°C/165°F.
This process not only eliminates the risk of listeriosis but also enhances the overall safety of the dish in which the cooked soft cheese is used. It is essential, however, to ensure that the cheese is uniformly heated to the recommended temperature throughout the cooking process to guarantee the destruction of any potential bacteria.
What does all this mean? Well, if you are desperately missing your favourite soft cheese, you can actually cook them to render them safer. Cheeses in this category include Brie, Chaource and even unpasteurised ones such as Camembert de Normandie.
Safe soft cheese recipes for pregnant women
Expectant mothers need not abstain from the indulgent delight of soft cheeses like Brie and Camembert during pregnancy. By ensuring proper cooking, these creamy cheeses can be incorporated into delectable and safe recipes.
Here are three delightful dishes designed to tantalise taste buds while prioritising the health of both mother and baby.
- Baked Brie with Herbs & Nuts: Indulge in a warm, gooey Brie drizzled with honey, sprinkled with mixed nuts, and baked to perfection. Served with fresh herbs, fruits or crackers, this dish offers a delightful blend of sweet and savoury flavours.
- Camembert & Caramelised Onion Tart: Experience the harmony of flavours with a buttery puff pastry topped with caramelised onions and Camembert. Baked until golden, this tart showcases the creamy Camembert alongside the sweetness of caramelised onions, creating a savoury masterpiece.
- Brie & Turkey Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Create a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich by layering succulent slices of roasted turkey and creamy Brie cheese between slices of artisanal bread. Grilled to golden perfection, this warm and melty delight offers a harmonious fusion of tender turkey and velvety Brie.
These recipes not only incorporate the creamy richness of soft white mould cheeses but also ensure they are thoroughly cooked, making them safe options for pregnant women. Enjoy these delectable dishes with the peace of mind that comes from making informed and delicious choices during pregnancy.
Conclusion
In the exhilarating journey of pregnancy, culinary cravings often meet caution, especially when it comes to delicate delights like soft white mould cheeses. Throughout this exploration, we’ve demystified the world of Brie, Camembert and their creamy counterparts.
Navigating the realm of soft cheese during pregnancy demands mindfulness, but it doesn’t mean sacrificing on flavour. By ensuring thorough cooking, expectant mothers can still eat soft cheeses during pregnancy without compromising safety.
From warm, baked delights to gourmet sandwiches, there are numerous culinary creations that offer a delightful balance of indulgence and caution.
References
Safety in Pregnancy
All the advice relating to what cheeses you can eat during pregnancy in this article is based on the recommendations by health authorities in Australia, the UK and the USA. If you are unsure about what you can or cannot eat, please consult your doctor.
Australia – FSANZ, United Kingdom – NHS and United Sates of America – FDA
Nutritional content
The nutritional content of cheese in our table comes from the USDA Food Data Central Repository and cheese manufacturers. We realise that there can be variations between different brands and producers. Hence, the numbers we have used are averages.
Fat
Our fat RDI data comes from Cleveland Clinic’s Healthy Fat Intake resource.
Type of fat in cheese as per Harvard T.H. Chan’s The Nutrition Source.
Protein
Our protein RDI data comes from Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publishing.
Sabine is the creative force behind Cheese Scientist. She is a sustainable living advocate, a climate change protestor and is pro-choice. And, most relevantly, she is also a lactose intolerant cheese lover.
