can I eat mozzarella?
Pasteurised mozzarella is safe during pregnancy — cold on a caprese salad, torn over pizza, or straight from the packet. Nearly all mozzarella sold in supermarkets is pasteurised, including buffalo mozzarella; just glance at the label.
why it matters
Mozzarella is a fresh cheese, not mould-ripened, and modern production pasteurises the milk first — removing the listeria concern that applies to brie-style cheeses. The only caution is artisanal mozzarella made from raw milk, which is uncommon.
how to have it safely
Check the label says pasteurised (it almost certainly does). Raw-milk mozzarella — rare, usually artisanal — should be cooked until steaming or skipped.
worth knowing
- Buffalo mozzarella (mozzarella di bufala) sold in UK/US supermarkets is pasteurised and fine.
- Cooked mozzarella on pizza is safe regardless of the milk — heat resolves everything.
- Burrata follows the same rule: pasteurised versions (the supermarket norm) are safe cold.
- In Italy or at speciality delis, it's worth confirming the milk is pasteurised.
common questions
Can I eat burrata while pregnant?
Yes, if it's made from pasteurised milk — which supermarket and most restaurant burrata is. It's a fresh cheese like mozzarella, not a mould-ripened one.
Is mozzarella on pizza always safe?
Yes — even in the rare case of raw-milk mozzarella, baking a pizza heats the cheese well past the point where bacteria survive.
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.