Unpasteurized Cheese

[Anonymous]

Random post here, but last week someone posted in an unrelated thread saying that it was virtually impossible to buy unpasteurized cheese in the United States. Having just bought some by accident this afternoon at Whole Foods (unpasteurized grated parmesan!), just wanted to let people know it actually is pretty easy and if you are planning to avoid this type of cheese you should definitely read labels and ask in restaurants.

[Anonymous]

Interesting. I wasn't all that concerned about the cheese thing, but I did find that Whole Foods carried some unpasteurized cheeses. However, I would never have thought to look at hard cheeses like parmesan!

Thanks for the heads up!

[Anonymous]

I accidentally bought unpasturized cheese at Trader Joes as well. Most of their unpasteurized cheese will be clearly labeled on the front of the package. However, the package that I bought did NOT have this label on the front. It was in the ingredient list (in small print) as raw cows milk.

I've read that aged, hard cheeses with a high sodium content are poor environments for listeria growth. Soft cheeses are usually the culprit so if you ate some unpasteurized parmesan, you are probably okay. Still, it's better to be safe than sorry!


Thanks for bringing this up!

[Anonymous]

Listeria risk is associated with unaged unpasteurized cheese - no need to worry about aged pasteurized cheese. Environment isn't conduce to listeria the way soft cheese is.

From the USDA website:

Do not eat soft cheese such as Feta, queso blanco, queso fresco, Brie, Camembert cheeses, blue-veined cheeses, and Panela unless it is labeled as made with pasteurized milk. Make sure the label says, "MADE WITH PASTEURIZED MILK."

Note that it specifies soft cheeses, not hard cheeses.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/Protect_Your_Baby/index.asp

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP, the warning is for unpasteurized soft cheese rather than hard cheeses. I do think it's uncommon to find them, but more likely at whole foods or TJs than giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter, etc,

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the info on hard vs soft unpasteurized cheeses. I'll admit that I'm not as strict with my preggo diet as I was with pg #1, and probably would have eaten the parmesan if I had liked the taste (which is what prompted me to read the ingedients actually!). I was mostly posting becuase I was just surprised about the poster last week who said it was impossible to buy unpasteurized cheese in the US and really it doesn't seem that hard at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the info on hard vs soft unpasteurized cheeses. I'll admit that I'm not as strict with my preggo diet as I was with pg #1, and probably would have eaten the parmesan if I had liked the taste (which is what prompted me to read the ingedients actually!). I was mostly posting becuase I was just surprised about the poster last week who said it was impossible to buy unpasteurized cheese in the US and really it doesn't seem that hard at all.

Didn't see the post you're referring to - but it is quite easy to find unpasteurized cheese in the US; just not unpasteurized, unaged cheese, which is the type that may pose a listeria risk (apparently, there's some controversy within scientific circles as to whether the pasteurization process destroys enzymes that keep listeria in check. You really can't win!). It's actually illegal.

A shame, I hear it's delicious and would love to try it, but will have to wait til I go to Europe (or buy a cow?).

[Anonymous]

It is very good and there are a few resteraunts here inDC where you can do cheese tastings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is very good and there are a few resteraunts here inDC where you can do cheese tastings.

For unpasteurized,unaged soft cheese?!? Are you willing to share the names? I've heard of places in NY where you can get it, but it's contraband so no one is willing to post the names online...

[Anonymous]

I think I'm the poster that the OP is referring to. I guess I should have been more clear b/c what I meant was that it is very difficult to find the types of unpasteurized cheeses that are to be avoided because they pose a risk of listeria. The point was that it's very unlikely you could contract listeria from eating any cheeses you would buy in a "regular" grocery store in the US.

Unpasteurized hard cheese like parmesan is not on the danger list. It is the soft cheeses like bleu, brie, etc. that are a listeria risk if unpasteurized. Those are the ones that are really hard to find even if you look for them. I DO think you can find unpasteurized queso fresco & queso blanco in some Latin markets, though, so that is one to be aware of because you should not eat that when pregnant.

Of course you should always check the labels, but I would be genuinely curious to know if (and where) anyone is finding unpasteurized SOFT cheeses b/c as PP mentioned, they are required to be pasteurized here in the US, and I'm pretty certain the unpasteurized ones cannot be legally imported. I can't imagine any of the chain groceries would sell them in violation of the law. Not sure if it is available at restaurant cheese-tastings or things like that.

[Anonymous]

Just to clear up the legality of cheese in the US--cheeses must be EITHER pasteurized OR aged for at least 60 days. The aging process kills listeria, so aged unpasteurized cheeses are safe to eat. Fresh, raw milk cheeses are usually soft, which is how "soft cheese" came to be a taboo food for pregnant women, but in the US the concern is misplaced. Your cheese is safe!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to clear up the legality of cheese in the US--cheeses must be EITHER pasteurized OR aged for at least 60 days. The aging process kills listeria, so aged unpasteurized cheeses are safe to eat. Fresh, raw milk cheeses are usually soft, which is how "soft cheese" came to be a taboo food for pregnant women, but in the US the concern is misplaced. Your cheese is safe!

Thanks for the clarification. I always laugh how many pregnant women get so bent out of shape about this one! There are many other things they should be worried about instead.

[Anonymous]

12:05 is not accurate...once again. Unpasteurized cheese is available in “regular” grocery stores, such as Harris Teeter, and SEVERAL upscale restaurants in the DC/MD/VA area.

[Anonymous]

Are soft goat cheeses and bries considered aged? I've definitely seen those made with unpasteurized milk at WF.

I'll check the label next time I'm there to see if they say aged, but I'm curious if anyone knows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:05 is not accurate...once again. Unpasteurized cheese is available in “regular” grocery stores, such as Harris Teeter, and SEVERAL upscale restaurants in the DC/MD/VA area.

She is accurate...again...she clarifies that she is referring to unpasteurized unaged cheese. Please post where you have found it, if you have indeed found it - I doubt that you have.