Parmesan cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy. Despite many authentic Parmesan cheeses being made from raw (unpasteurized) milk, they are hard, aged cheeses with low moisture and high salt content, which makes them inhospitable for harmful bacteria like Listeria. Therefore, even unpasteurized hard cheeses such as Parmesan are considered safe to consume during pregnancy. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare provider for individual dietary concerns during pregnancy, but generally, Parmesan and other hard cheeses like Cheddar and Gruyère are safe choices.

Why Parmesan is Safe

• Hard, aged cheeses like Parmesan have low moisture content and high salt, which reduces bacterial growth risk.
• Listeria bacteria, dangerous in pregnancy, is unlikely to thrive in such cheeses.
• This holds true regardless of whether the cheese is made from pasteurized or unpasteurized milk.

What to Avoid Instead

• Soft cheeses with white rinds (e.g., Brie, Camembert) and soft blue-veined cheeses should be avoided unless thoroughly cooked.
• These cheeses have higher moisture, making them suitable environments for harmful bacteria.

In summary, Parmesan cheese can be confidently included in a pregnancy diet, thanks to its hard, aged nature and low risk factors for infection.