Is Panela cheese safe during pregnancy?
Avoid unheated panela cheese in pregnancy — even pasteurized. OK when cooked in a hot dish to 165°F or until steaming hot.
What the sources say
CDC advises people who are pregnant to avoid queso fresco-type cheeses such as queso fresco, queso blanco, requesón and similar fresh, soft cheeses unless heated to 165°F or until steaming hot — even when made with pasteurized milk. FDA lists both pasteurized and unpasteurized queso fresco-type cheeses as foods to skip for people at higher risk. FDA's moms-to-be guidance names panela among soft cheeses to check carefully; CDC's guidance covers similar fresh, soft cheeses. No special restriction while breastfeeding (CDC).
Common alternatives
Also listed as
panela, queso panela, queso de canasta
Sources
- CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
- CDC: Preventing Listeria Infection
- FDA: People at Risk of Foodborne Illness
- FDA: Food Safety for Moms-to-Be At-a-Glance
- CDC: Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.