Pregnant individuals often have questions about food safety, especially regarding soft cheeses like cream cheese. This article clarifies whether cream cheese can be part of a pregnant individual’s diet, providing guidance on safe consumption.
The Key to Safe Cream Cheese Consumption
The primary factor determining the safety of cream cheese for pregnant individuals is pasteurization. Pasteurization is a heat treatment process that involves heating milk or cream to a specific temperature for a set period, effectively destroying harmful bacteria. This process is crucial as unpasteurized dairy products can harbor dangerous microorganisms.
One of the most significant concerns in unpasteurized dairy is Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that causes listeriosis. While listeriosis can affect anyone, pregnant individuals are about 10 to 20 times more susceptible to this infection due to changes in their immune system. Although maternal illness from listeriosis is often mild, resembling flu-like symptoms, the consequences for the fetus can be severe. These risks include miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, or severe illness in newborns, such as meningitis.
What to Look For and What to Avoid
To ensure cream cheese is safe for consumption during pregnancy, checking the product label for the word “pasteurized” is important. Most cream cheese sold in major grocery stores is made with pasteurized milk or cream, making it safe. This applies to various forms of cream cheese, such as block, whipped, or flavored varieties.
While cream cheese is safe due to pasteurization, certain soft cheeses are often unpasteurized and should be avoided unless explicitly labeled otherwise. Examples include some artisanal soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, Feta, blue-veined cheeses, and Mexican-style cheeses such as queso fresco, unless confirmed pasteurized. Homemade or farm-fresh cream cheese should also be avoided unless its pasteurization status can be definitively confirmed. If a soft cheese is unpasteurized, it can become safe if cooked until steaming hot throughout, as the heat kills any potential bacteria.
Understanding the Risks and Staying Safe
Symptoms of listeriosis can appear days or even weeks after consuming contaminated food. These symptoms in pregnant individuals can be mild and flu-like, including fever, muscle aches, headache, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Sometimes, a pregnant individual might not feel sick at all, even if infected. If these symptoms occur after consuming potentially contaminated food, seek medical attention promptly.
Beyond cream cheese, general food safety practices minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses for pregnant individuals. This involves thorough handwashing, preventing cross-contamination, and cooking foods to proper internal temperatures. Promptly refrigerating perishable foods and reheating leftovers until steaming hot further reduces risks. Consulting a healthcare provider for dietary concerns during pregnancy provides personalized guidance.