You should avoid eating Gorgonzola cheese during pregnancy unless it has been cooked until steaming hot[3]. Gorgonzola is a soft, blue-veined cheese that can be made from pasteurized or unpasteurized milk, but regardless of pasteurization, its high moisture content makes it easier for Listeria bacteria to grow, which poses serious health risks to pregnant women and their babies[3].
Unpasteurized or soft blue cheeses like Gorgonzola should be avoided because they carry a risk of listeriosis, an infection that can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious neonatal illness[1][2][3][4]. Listeria can survive even in refrigerated conditions and is not eliminated effectively in these cheeses unless they are thoroughly heated[3].
If you want to eat Gorgonzola while pregnant, you can only do so safely if it has been cooked until steaming hot, as this will kill any harmful bacteria[3]. Otherwise, opt for hard cheeses or pasteurized soft cheeses without a rind or blue veins, as these present a much lower risk[2][3][5]. Always check the label for pasteurization status, and if in doubt, it is safest to avoid Gorgonzola during pregnancy[2].
References
- [1] 5 of the Best Cheeses to Safely Eat When You’re Pregnant – Cheese Professor
- [2] Can You Eat Blue Cheese While Pregnant? Pasteurized … – Femia
- [3] Foods to avoid in pregnancy – NHS
- [4] Can You Eat Blue Cheese While Pregnant? A Complete Guide – Myrtle & Maude
- [5] Safe Cheeses to Eat While Pregnant – Midwest Fertility Center
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