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Disclaimer: This guide is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always confirm medicine, supplement and product decisions with your obstetrician, midwife, pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Food & Drink

Is Brie Safe During Pregnancy?

Published 2026-07-10 | By SafeMama Editorial Team | Editorial policy

Is Brie Safe During Pregnancy? pregnancy safety guide image

Short answer

Brie is usually avoided during pregnancy unless it is cooked until steaming hot, because soft ripened cheeses with a white rind can carry listeria risk even when pasteurized.

Only if cooked until steaming hot

What is the safest way to think about this?

NHS pregnancy food guidance advises avoiding pasteurized or unpasteurized mould-ripened soft cheeses such as brie and camembert unless cooked until steaming hot, because of listeria risk.

What is generally okay?

  • Eat brie only if it has been cooked until steaming hot throughout.
  • Choose hard cheeses or pregnancy-compatible pasteurized dairy options when you cannot confirm preparation.
  • Ask restaurants how cheese is prepared rather than relying on menu names.

What should you avoid or double-check?

  • Avoid cold or room-temperature brie during pregnancy.
  • Avoid buffet cheese boards where storage time and temperature are unclear.
  • Avoid unpasteurized dairy products.

How SafeMama helps

SafeMama can flag soft-ripened cheese names, pasteurization language, and ready-to-eat dairy labels so users know what to ask before eating.

Open the SafeMama app, scan the barcode or search the ingredient, then use the result as a starting point for a conversation with your healthcare provider.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Is pasteurized brie safe during pregnancy?

NHS guidance still treats mould-ripened soft cheeses such as brie cautiously unless cooked until steaming hot. Local guidance can vary, so ask your clinician if unsure.

What cheeses are easier choices?

Hard cheeses and pasteurized dairy products that are stored safely are usually easier choices, but check local guidance and labels.

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