Can I Eat Camembert Cheese While Pregnant?

Pregnancy is a time of cautious dietary choices, especially when it comes to cheeses. Camembert, with its creamy texture and distinctive flavor, is a favorite for many. But is it safe for expectant mothers? In this guide, we'll unravel the mysteries of camembert cheese during pregnancy, exploring its safety, potential risks, and offering guidance on enjoying it without compromising your well-being or that of your baby.

At a glance:

It is recommended to only eat Camembert when cooked thoroughly at 165°F/74°C or more (or until steaming hot). This is the case even if the cheese has been pasteurized. Mold-ripened soft cheeses such as camembert have the potential to harbor harmful bacteria even after the pasteurization process, which could present a danger to pregnant women.

Understanding the Concerns and Assessing the Risk

Camembert cheese is a soft, French cheese made from cow's milk. It's known for its velvety texture, and earthy, nutty flavor. However, there are concerns about its safety during pregnancy.

Camembert cheese is traditionally made with raw milk. Raw milk is milk from any animal that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. Raw milk, also called unpasteurized milk, may contain bacteria such as Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, Brucella, or the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. The highest concern is Listeria, as this poses the greatest health risks to pregnant women.

Listeria

During the first trimester of pregnancy, a listeria infection may result in a miscarriage. Listeriosis can also lead to premature labor, low birth-weight, or death of the infant. Unborn babies that are infected while in utero have the potential to develop a variety of health problems, including intellectual disability, paralysis, seizures, blindness, or impairments of the brain, heart, or kidney. In newborns, listeria can cause blood infections and meningitis.

It is important to realize that pregnant women are about 10 times more likely to get listeriosis than other healthy adults.

Campylobacter, E. coli, Salmonella

Bacteria that causes foodborne illness all pose some level of risk during pregnancy. While pregnant people are not more likely to contract these infections, as opposed to with listeria, their effects can have more serious outcomes while pregnant. Campylobacter, E. coli, and Salmonella bacteria can all cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, which can last for several days and lead to dehydration which can cause negative outcomes during pregnancy.

E. coli may cause premature breaking of the amniotic sac, preterm delivery, low birth weight, sepsis, or stillbirth in severe cases.

Rare cases of salmonella bacteremia could lead to intrauterine sepsis.

Campylobacter infection can in rare cases lead to Guillain-Barré syndrome. Infection can also result in delayed fetal development, or premature delivery, and is more serious if contracted in the second trimester than in the third.

Can I eat pasteurized camembert?

Usually the recommendation to avoid getting these foodborne illnesses is to only consume pasteurized milk and milk products, including pasteurized cheese (cheese made with pasteurized milk). But according to the NHS this doesn’t apply to camembert: soft cheeses with a white coating on the outside have more moisture. This can make it easier for bacteria to grow. Cooking cheese until it's steaming hot kills bacteria, reducing the risk of listeriosis.

The recommendation is to only eat Camembert (and other soft cheeses with a white coating) after heating to at least 165°F/74°C (or until steaming hot) to kill the bacteria, even if the cheese is pasteurized.

Recent Listeria Outbreaks: Deli cheeses, Brie, Camembert, Queso fresco, and specific ice cream brands have all had recent listeria outbreaks, even when pasteurized milk was used.

Making Safe Choices

Enjoying Camembert cheese during pregnancy can be safe with the right precautions:

Heat It Up:

Consider baking or cooking Camembert thoroughly (to at least 165°F/74°C), as heat kills harmful bacteria. Enjoy it in dishes where it's heated to a safe temperature.

baked camembert cheese with rosemary — Check out the recipe below for baked rosemary and honey Camembert that you can enjoy while pregnant.

Savoring Camembert Safely

Here's a delightful and safe recipe featuring pasteurized and cooked camembert:

Honey Rosemary Baked Camembert

1 Camembert cheese wheel, pasteurized (about 9 oz)
1 sprig of rosemary
1 pinch dried red chili pepper flakes
1 tablespoon honey
Sea salt flakes and freshly-cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F. Place a baking tray on the middle rack of the oven.
Take off the plastic wrap and place the Camembert in a small baking dish.
Make deep crosses on the top rind of the cheese.
Drizzle honey over the cheese, and tuck rosemary leaves into the cuts.
Sprinkle red chili flakes and season with sea salt flakes, and optionally, black pepper.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until cheese is at least 165°F/74°C.
Once done, take it out of the oven and serve with crackers or slices of toasted bread.

Conclusion: Enjoying Camembert Cheese Mindfully

Indulging in camembert cheese can be a delightful part of your pregnancy journey when approached with care and awareness. By cooking your Camembert cheese and taking necessary precautions, you can savor this creamy delicacy without compromising your well-being or that of your baby. As always, consult your healthcare provider for personalized dietary recommendations during pregnancy.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized dietary recommendations during pregnancy.