Can You Eat Cottage Cheese When Pregnant?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS foods-to-avoid guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes — cottage cheese is safe during pregnancy as long as it is made from pasteurised milk. Check the label for the word pasteurised.
Why is cottage cheese safe in pregnancy?
The NHS confirms that soft cheeses like cottage cheese are safe to eat during pregnancy as long as they are made from pasteurised milk. The NHS names pasteurised milk as the condition, so the label is what to check: some UK product pages we read state 'made with pasteurised milk' and others do not, and not every cottage cheese is pasteurised. Check the label, and ask about products from delis, farm shops, markets and restaurants.
You can also check the calorie content of cottage cheese alongside its safety information. Also check medication safety during pregnancy if you're managing any conditions.
The exception
Avoid cottage cheese made from unpasteurised (raw) milk. If a label doesn't confirm pasteurisation, choose a different product.
The NHS names cottage cheese; the condition is 'pasteurised'
The NHS foods-to-avoid page (reviewed 15 June 2026) lists 'pasteurised soft cheeses, such as cottage cheese, cream cheese, processed cheese spreads, mozzarella' as safe to eat. Tommy's puts cottage cheese in a 'you can eat if pasteurised' group, and nidirect lists it as safe because it is a pasteurised soft cheese. So the answer is a yes with one test. The test is where people get stuck, because the word 'pasteurised' is not always on the front of a tub.
Reading the tub: what the online listings actually say
We opened the product pages of two best-selling UK cottage cheeses and the rule is easy to apply only if the label says it.
| Product page we read | Ingredients | Says 'pasteurised'? | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arla Natural Cottage Cheese 300g | Cottage Cheese (Milk), Salt | Not on the page text we read | Keep refrigerated below 5°C; best-before period 30 days; best consumed within 3 days of opening |
| Graham's Natural Cottage Cheese Full Fat 300g (Tesco) | Cottage Cheese (Milk), Salt | Not on the page text we read | Keep refrigerated below 5°C; do not freeze; consume within 3 days of opening |
| Philadelphia Original (for comparison, see cream cheese) | Full fat soft cheese, salt, guar gum, citric acid | Yes, 'Made with pasteurised milk' on the Morrisons and Sainsbury's pages | Keep refrigerated |
Absence from an online listing is not proof that the tub is unpasteurised. It means we cannot confirm it from what we read. Check the pack in your hand, and if it does not say, contact the maker or choose one that does.
Where you buy it changes the question
| Source | What to do |
|---|---|
| Supermarket tub | Check the pack for 'pasteurised'; keep it below 5°C and eat within the open-tub days on the label (3 days on the two tubs we read) |
| Deli counter, farm shop, market | Ask whether it is made from pasteurised milk; if they cannot say, skip it |
| Restaurant or cafe (jacket potato filling, salads) | Ask about the milk; and we would skip any tub that has been sitting out at room temperature (our caution, not an NHS quote) |
| Flavoured tubs (pineapple, chives, onion) | Same milk rule, but check what is added: fruit and herbs are not on any avoid list we read |
Keeping and using it
- Open tubs are short-lived: both tubs above say 3 days. Our fridge guide covers the rest.
- Cottage cheese is not on the NHS 'be careful with' list. That list covers foods such as mould-ripened soft cheeses, cold cured meats, meat pate and rolled joints of meat.
- If you have eaten a cottage cheese that was not labelled pasteurised, the sources we read give no infection rate for one portion. Ask your midwife if you are worried, and contact NHS 111 if you become unwell.
Sources checked
Everything in the sections above was checked against these pages on 28 October 2026.
- NHS: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (page last reviewed 15 June 2026) — pasteurised soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, cream cheese safe; be careful with list
- Tommy's: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (last reviewed 6 September 2024) — cottage cheese in 'eat if pasteurised' group
- nidirect: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (last updated 3 April 2025) — cottage cheese and cream cheese safe as pasteurised soft cheeses
- Arla: Natural Cottage Cheese 300g (product page) — ingredients; no pasteurisation mention on page; 3 days once opened
- Tesco: Graham's Natural Cottage Cheese Full Fat 300g (product page) — ingredients; no pasteurisation mention on page; 3 days once opened
- Morrisons: Philadelphia Original Soft Cheese Family Pack 280g (product page) — made with pasteurised milk
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Cottage Cheese: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| While breastfeeding | Safe |
| In the fridge (Cottage Cheese (Opened)) | 2 weeks unopened, 1 week once opened |
Common questions
Can I eat cottage cheese in the first trimester?
Yes — pasteurised cottage cheese is safe at every stage of pregnancy, including the first trimester.
Is a small amount of cottage cheese OK during pregnancy?
You don't need to limit pasteurised cottage cheese — it can be eaten freely as part of a balanced pregnancy diet.
I accidentally ate cottage cheese while pregnant — what should I do?
If it was made from pasteurised milk, there is nothing to worry about. If you think you may have eaten an unpasteurised version, the risk from a single portion is still low — watch for flu-like symptoms and speak to your midwife or GP if you feel unwell.
Is cooked cottage cheese safe in pregnancy?
Yes — pasteurised cottage cheese is safe cooked or uncooked, and cooking any cottage cheese until piping hot makes it safe regardless of pasteurisation.
Does cottage cheese have to say 'pasteurised' on the label?
The NHS condition is that it is pasteurised. The two UK tubs we read (Arla and Graham's) do not mention pasteurisation on their online product pages, so check the pack and ask the maker if it is not stated.
Can I eat cottage cheese straight from the tub?
Yes, the NHS lists pasteurised cottage cheese as safe. Keep it refrigerated and eat it within the days on the label once open (3 days on the Arla and Graham's tubs).
Is cream cheese treated the same as cottage cheese?
Yes. The NHS lists both under pasteurised soft cheeses. See our <a href='/can-you-eat-cream-cheese-when-pregnant/'>cream cheese</a> page.
Related answers
Primary source: NHS foods-to-avoid guidance.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.