If you’ve never tried burrata, especially if you’re pregnant, you may be wondering, “is burrata pasteurized or not?” This is a good question that is worthy of a thorough answer. Avoiding unpasteurized food is important to avoid a trip to the ER. And because there are many foods and drinks you may need to avoid when pregnant, it is important that you understand what is safe and what isn’t. So, can you eat burrata cheese safely? How about while pregnant?
Table of Contents
- Is Burrata Pasteurized?
- Is Burrata a Raw Cheese?
- Can I Eat Fresh Burrata Cheese When Pregnant?
- Can You Eat Mozzarella When Pregnant?
- What Cheeses to Avoid Pregnant?
- Eating Burrata Abroad While Pregnant: What to Know
- Can You Eat Burrata Cheese While Pregnant? Yes and No…
- FAQs
Is Burrata Pasteurized?
Yes. In most cases, burrata cheese will be made from pasteurized milk and cream, especially if you’ve purchased it from a store. However, there are some types of unpasteurized burrata made from unpasteurized milk.
So, is this an issue?
Well, kind of.
In general, it is recommended that pregnant women should avoid soft cheeses, especially if they are unpasteurized. By eating unpasteurized burrata, you are increasing your risk of taking in unwanted and unsafe bacteria, and thus, putting yourself and your baby at risk.
What Is Pasteurization?
Pasteurization is the act of heating something so as to sterilize it partially, especially when it comes to milk and wine. By proxy, this also includes items such as cream, cheese, and other dairy products. There are even some types of milk and cheese that are ultra heat treated (or UHT) which is further sterilization of your milk and dairy products.
Raw milk, traditional cow’s milk (whole milk or otherwise), fresh Italian cheese, and more may also come unpasteurized. This means they haven’t been heated to kill off any harmful bacteria. This can pose a significant risk to those who are vulnerable including children, the elderly, expectant mothers, and yes, unborn babies.
Is Burrata Pasteurized in Italy?
Just like in the United States, burrata cheese in Italy may or may not be pasteurized. Though this Italian cheese is native to Italy, and thus, may be presumed to be in its “raw” form, this isn’t always true. As with cheese, milk, and other dairy products produced around the world, burrata cheese in Italy may or may not be pasteurized depending on who is producing it.
Thus, it is important that no matter where you are in the world that you ask for detailed information concerning your burrata cheese before making the decision to consume it.
Is Burrata a Raw Cheese?
Burrata may be a raw cheese, but it also may not be.
A “raw” cheese consists of milk and cream that has not been pasteurized. To this extent then, whether or not burrata cheese is a raw cheese will depend on whether or not it is pasteurized.
Pasteurized milk Italian cheese will be marked as such on the package. If you are purchasing burrata cheese in a store, it is important that you look for the “pasteurized” label on the packaging before purchasing it, especially if you are pregnant. Though the U.S. has laws that regulate the sale of unpasteurized cheese, it is still legal for purchase.
Thus, it is up to you (if you’re pregnant) to be diligent about checking to ensure that whatever milk, cheese, ro other dairy products you are eating are indeed pasteurized.
Where Is Burrata Raw Cheese Sold?
Although most of the burrata cheeses you encounter in your local supermarket will be pasteurized, there is a chance that some of them may not be. In addition, if you ever buy cheese from a farmer, family-owned business, or the like, be sure to check closely for information related to pasteurizing if you’re pregnant.
If the packaging does not indicate whether or not the burrata is pasteurized, please speak with the person in charge to get additional information about the manufacturing specifications of the burrata cheese.
Can I Eat Fresh Burrata Cheese When Pregnant?
Eating “fresh” burrata cheese is indeed safe for pregnant women. However, it really does matter whether or not the cheese is pasteurized.
Eating burrata cheese that is made from pasteurized milk and cream will prevent you from developing health conditions that could potentially affect you and your baby.
This isn’t simply a matter of preventing food poisoning. Instead, by consuming unpasteurized burrata you are putting yourself at risk for other issues including:
- Miscarriage
- Illness (for mother and baby)
- Death of newborn
- Listeria contamination
Can I Eat Burrata if I’m Pregnant?
Of course, not every woman that eats burrata cheese will get sick, die, or suffer negative consequences. But the key here is to use caution. And though listeria is quite rare, it is still a threat and could cause devastating consequences for you and your baby.
There are times when women have been unsuspecting and have accidentally eaten raw burrata cheese at a restaurant. If this happens to you and you begin feeling symptoms related to sickness, please see a health professional immediately. However, if no ill symptoms are noted, it is unlikely that it will affect you much.
Just be sure not to make it a habit!
Can You Eat Mozzarella When Pregnant?
With all of this talk about burrata cheese, you may be wondering if it is safe to eat mozzarella cheese while pregnant. The answer? Yes – as long as it is pasteurized.
Much like burrata, mozzarella cheese must be made from pasteurized milk in order to be deemed safe to eat. So, why is this important?
As you may or may not already know, burrata cheese is made of mozzarella cheese and cream. The outer shell of burrata cheese is the mozzarella portion, while the creamy center is, well, cream!
Thankfully, this creamy Italian cheese can be safely consumed in its pasteurized form and thus poses no harm to women who are pregnant. In its raw form, however, it is best that you avoid eating burrata cheese while pregnant.
Though it may look appetizing and certainly contains nutrients beneficial to aid in your pregnancy, eating pasteurized burrata while pregnant isn’t such a good idea.
What Cheeses to Avoid Pregnant?
You may be wondering what other cheese you should be leery of while pregnant. If so, good for you! There are several cheese types that you should try to avoid while pregnant. Most of these cheeses include soft cheeses and unpasteurized cheese.
These not-so pregnancy safe cheeses include:
- Danish Blue
- Ripened goat’s cheese
- Brie
- Camambert
- Chevre
- Gorgonzola
- Roquefort (can be consumed if. cooked until steaming hot)
Eating Burrata Abroad While Pregnant: What to Know
Now that you know that you should avoid eating raw or unpasteurized burrata cheese, you may wonder what to do when eating burrata abroad. Essentially, you should do the same thing you’d do in your home country, and that is to ask the one serving the burrata whether or not it is pasteurized.
Unfamiliar with the language? Try asking someone who speaks your native language or try using a translation app to assist. If all else fails, it’s best to skip the burrata cheese when pregnant if you are unable to confirm that it’s been pasteurized. Though it may seem extreme, the truth is that eating raw burrata can lead to the ingestion of harmful bacteria which can be dangerous to expectant mothers and their babies.
Remember that it doesn’t matter if you’re going to eat smoked burrata, cooked burrata, burrata pugliese, burrata di andria, or another burrata type when pregnant. The main concern is whether or not the burrata is made from pasteurized milk and cream. If the cheese is pasteurized then these varying types of burrata can be enjoyed while pregnant without the need to worry.
Can You Eat Burrata Cheese While Pregnant? Yes and No…
All in all, it is safe for pregnant women to consume burrata cheese, but only if it is pasteurized burrata. Unpasteurized dairy products aren’t a good idea when it comes to pregnancy safety. Thus, it is recommended that expectant mothers only eat pasteurized cheese.
Hope this helps answer the question, “Can you eat burrata cheese while pregnant?” Did you find this post helpful? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time!
FAQs
Yes, burrata is considered a soft cheese. It is for this reason that women are cautioned only to consume burrata cheese that is pasteurized, as soft cheeses are known to pose health risks to expectant mothers and their unborn infants.
It can be, but not always. Look for the term “raw” or “unpasteurized” to know for sure.
Yes. There are pasteurized ingredients listed on Galbani packaging indicating that Galbani cheese is indeed pasteurized. As always, be sure to read the label for yourself before purchasing.
Most Belgioioso burrata is labeled as pasteurized, however, be sure to read the ingredients for yourself before making any purchases
Burrata has a cream-filled center with an outer shell made of mozzarella. Mozzarella cheese has no such center.
It can be, but not always. Much like in the U.S., whether or not Italian burrata is pasteurized will depend on the manufacturer.
It may or may not be. There are both types sold in the U.K. Always check the label to be sure.
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