Is Queso blanco safe during pregnancy?
Avoid unheated queso blanco in pregnancy — even pasteurized. OK when cooked in a hot dish to 165°F or until steaming hot.
PregnancyNot recommended
BreastfeedingGenerally safe
EvidenceStrong
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. No special restriction while breastfeeding (CDC).
Common alternatives
Also listed as
queso blanco fresco, queso de freír, queso para freir
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.