can I eat brie?
Cold brie should be avoided during pregnancy, even when pasteurised — but baked or thoroughly cooked brie, served steaming hot, is safe. The white rind marks it as a mould-ripened cheese where listeria can grow.
why it matters
Brie's mould-ripening process leaves it moist and low in acid — a rare food environment where listeria can multiply even in the fridge, and even in pasteurised cheese. Listeriosis is uncommon but can be serious in pregnancy, so the cold slice on a cheeseboard is the one to skip.
how to have it safely
Baked brie, deep-fried brie, or brie melted fully in a hot panini or tart — cooked until steaming hot throughout — is safe, because heat destroys listeria.
worth knowing
- The rule covers all white-rinded mould-ripened cheeses: camembert, chèvre with rind, taleggio.
- Pasteurisation doesn't clear brie — contamination can happen during ripening, after pasteurisation.
- 'Melted a bit on top' isn't enough — the middle needs to be steaming hot too.
- Craving it? Baked camembert with crusty bread is a fully pregnancy-safe indulgence.
common questions
Can I eat baked brie or camembert while pregnant?
Yes — as long as it's cooked until steaming hot all the way through, not just softened. Heat kills listeria, making baked brie one of the nicest safe treats going.
I ate cold brie before I knew I was pregnant — what now?
The actual risk from one serving is very small — listeriosis is rare. Watch for flu-like symptoms over the following weeks and mention it to your midwife, but try not to worry.
also in dairy & eggs
Aligned with guidance from the NHS, FDA and WHO. This is general information, not personal medical advice — check with your midwife or doctor about your own situation. How we write.