can I eat feta?
Pasteurised feta is safe to eat cold during pregnancy — it's a brined cheese, not a mould-ripened one, so it doesn't carry the brie problem. Just check the label says pasteurised, which nearly all supermarket feta is.
why it matters
Feta is cured in salty brine, which makes it acidic and inhospitable to listeria — a completely different situation from soft mould-ripened cheeses. The only version to avoid is feta made from unpasteurised milk, occasionally found at farmers' markets or abroad.
how to have it safely
Any feta labelled 'pasteurised' is fine cold — crumbled on salads, in wraps, baked in the oven. If you encounter traditional unpasteurised feta, cook it until steaming or choose another cheese.
worth knowing
- Virtually all feta sold in UK and US supermarkets is pasteurised — a two-second label check confirms it.
- Greek tavernas and market stalls abroad may use unpasteurised milk — worth asking.
- The same applies to similar brined cheeses like halloumi and paneer: pasteurised = safe.
- Whipped feta dips are fine if the feta is pasteurised.
common questions
Can I eat feta on a Greek salad while pregnant?
Yes, as long as the feta is pasteurised — which it almost always is in supermarkets and most restaurants. When travelling, it's reasonable to ask.
Why is feta safe when brie isn't?
Feta is preserved in acidic, salty brine that stops listeria growing. Brie is mould-ripened, which keeps it moist and low-acid — the exact conditions listeria likes.
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.