Can I Eat Queso Blanco During Pregnancy?
At a Glance:
⚠️ Concern: Queso blanco is often made from unpasteurized milk, which can harbor Listeria monocytogenes, posing a serious risk during pregnancy.
🔥 Risk Level: Unsafe if unpasteurized and eaten cold. Pasteurized queso blanco is safer, especially if heated.
✅ Safe Practices: Look for “pasteurized” on the label, avoid homemade or street-sold versions, and cook queso blanco until hot for added safety.
Queso blanco is a fresh, mild white cheese popular in Latin American dishes. Its soft texture and mild flavor make it a favorite for quesadillas, tacos, and arepas. But is it safe to eat during pregnancy? The answer depends on whether it’s pasteurized and how it’s prepared.
Let’s break down the risks and how to safely enjoy queso blanco while pregnant.
Why Queso Blanco Can Be Risky During Pregnancy
Queso blanco is a fresh, soft cheese with high moisture, which makes it a perfect environment for the growth of bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria can survive in refrigerated foods and is particularly dangerous for pregnant people.
Listeriosis during pregnancy can cause:
Miscarriage
Stillbirth
Premature labor
Severe infection in newborns
Queso blanco made from unpasteurized milk increases this risk, as the bacteria are not killed during production.
What About Pasteurized Queso Blanco?
If queso blanco is made with pasteurized milk, the risk of listeria is much lower. Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria, making the cheese safer to consume. However, because queso blanco is a soft cheese, there is still a small risk of contamination after processing.
For this reason, it is safest to eat pasteurized queso blanco only if heated until steaming hot, such as in baked dishes or melted into sauces.
What to Look for on Labels
✅ Choose products that clearly state “made with pasteurized milk.”
❌ Avoid cheese that doesn’t specify pasteurization.
✅ Skip cheese from open markets or street vendors, where handling and refrigeration may be questionable.
If you’re ordering at a restaurant, don’t hesitate to ask whether their queso blanco is pasteurized and properly cooked.
Safer Cheese Alternatives
If you want to avoid the uncertainty, these cheeses are generally safer:
Hard cheeses (cheddar, Swiss, parmesan)
Pasteurized mozzarella
Pasteurized cream cheese
Cooked ricotta in baked dishes
These options provide plenty of flavor without the higher risk of listeria.
A Pregnancy-Safe Recipe Idea
Queso Blanco Quesadillas (Heated Until Steaming)
Ingredients:
1 cup shredded pasteurized queso blanco
4 small whole wheat tortillas
1/4 cup diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped spinach
Olive oil for cooking
Instructions:
Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly brush with olive oil.
Place a tortilla on the skillet and sprinkle half with cheese, tomatoes, and spinach.
Fold in half and cook, flipping, until the cheese is melted and steaming hot inside.
Cut into wedges and serve warm.
Conclusion: Choose Pasteurized and Cooked
Queso blanco can be part of a healthy pregnancy diet if made from pasteurized milk and eaten hot. Unpasteurized versions and cold-served queso blanco should be avoided to prevent listeria infection.
When in doubt, ask questions, read labels, and prioritize food safety to protect you and your baby.
Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding your health, pregnancy, or medical conditions.
Reference: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/avoid-queso-fresco-type-cheeses-if-youre-high-risk-groups
