Can You Eat Feta When Pregnant?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS foods-to-avoid guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes — Feta is safe during pregnancy as long as it is made from pasteurised milk. Check the label for the word pasteurised.
Why is feta safe in pregnancy?
The NHS confirms that soft cheeses like Feta 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 Feta is pasteurised. Check the label, and ask about products from delis, farm shops, markets and restaurants.
You can also check the calorie content of feta alongside its safety information. Also check medication safety during pregnancy if you're managing any conditions.
The exception
Avoid Feta made from unpasteurised (raw) milk. If a label doesn't confirm pasteurisation, choose a different product.
Is your feta pasteurised? What three UK packs say
The NHS lists feta with the soft cheeses that are safe in pregnancy if pasteurised. So the thing to check is the label wording, and that wording is easy to find on supermarket packs. We checked three:
| Pack (retailer page, 28 Oct 2026) | Wording on the page | After opening |
|---|---|---|
| Tesco Greek Feta Cheese 200g | 'Greek feta PDO cheese made with pasteurised sheep and goat's milk' | 'Once opened, consume within 3 days and by use by date shown' |
| Yamas Authentic Greek Feta 200g (sold by Tesco) | 'pasteurised Greek sheep & goat's milk' | 'Once opened use within 3 days and by date shown' |
| M&S Greek Feta 200g (on Ocado) | 'Greek feta cheese made with pasteurised sheep and goat's milk' | Not stated on the page; keep refrigerated; not suitable for home freezing |
All three packs we checked say pasteurised. That does not tell us about feta from a deli counter, a market stall, a farm shop or a restaurant, which we did not check, so the rule below is still 'ask or check'.
Where you meet feta, and what to do
| Where | Verdict | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Packet or tub from a supermarket | Fine if the pack says pasteurised | Read the description or ingredients; keep it chilled and eat it before the use-by date |
| Barrel or loose feta from a deli counter or market | Ask | If staff cannot say it is pasteurised, choose a packed one |
| Greek salad or meze in a restaurant | Ask | If they cannot confirm pasteurised, leave the feta off the plate |
| Baked feta pasta, feta parcels, spanakopita, hot feta in a pie | Safe | The NHS says any cheese cooked until steaming hot is safe; heat it right through |
| Pre-packed sandwich or salad containing feta | Fine if chilled and in date | The NHS says pre-packaged sandwiches and salads with cheese should be kept chilled and eaten before the use-by date |
| Feta you have had open for a few days | Check the pack's own limit | Tesco and Yamas say 3 days after opening |
What the US pages add, and what they miss
Healthline's feta article (published 2017, medically reviewed) is the best-known English-language answer. It relies on the FDA and CDC, tells readers to choose cheese labelled 'made from pasteurized milk', and notes that pasteurized products can still carry bacteria if made under unsanitary factory conditions. That last point is why the NHS adds 'keep chilled and eat before the use-by date' even for pasteurised cheese. The article does not cover cooked feta, restaurants, or how long an opened pack lasts, which is where UK readers usually get stuck.
Baked feta is the easy case
If you are not sure whether a block of feta is pasteurised, cooking it solves the problem: the NHS says any cheese cooked until steaming hot, including soft or blue cheese, is safe. Cut the block into smaller pieces so the middle heats through, and eat it while it is hot.
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) — feta with the pasteurised soft cheeses; cheese cooked until steaming hot is safe; pre-packaged sandwiches and salads with cheese, keep chilled and eat before use-by
- Tommy's: Foods to avoid in pregnancy (last reviewed 6 September 2024) — feta, mozzarella and similar soft cheeses are fine if pasteurised
- nidirect (Northern Ireland government): Foods to avoid in pregnancy (modified 3 April 2025) — pasteurised soft cheeses such as feta and mozzarella are safe; cooking helps
- Tesco: Greek Feta Cheese 200g (product page) — Tesco Greek Feta: made with pasteurised sheep and goat's milk; use within 3 days of opening (checked 28 October 2026)
- Tesco: Yamas Authentic Greek Feta Cheese 200g (product page) — Yamas Greek Feta: pasteurised; use within 3 days of opening (checked 28 October 2026)
- Ocado: M&S Greek Feta Cheese 200g (product page) — M&S Greek Feta: pasteurised sheep and goat's milk (checked 28 October 2026)
- Healthline: Feta cheese and pregnancy (published 2017) — rival: US FDA/CDC framing; pasteurized can still carry bacteria in unsanitary production
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Check Price →Feta: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| While breastfeeding | Safe |
Common questions
Can I eat feta in the first trimester?
Yes — pasteurised Feta is safe at every stage of pregnancy, including the first trimester.
Is a small amount of feta OK during pregnancy?
You don't need to limit pasteurised Feta — it can be eaten freely as part of a balanced pregnancy diet.
I accidentally ate feta 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 feta safe in pregnancy?
Yes — pasteurised Feta is safe cooked or uncooked, and cooking any Feta until piping hot makes it safe regardless of pasteurisation.
Is supermarket feta pasteurised?
The three UK packs we checked (Tesco, Yamas and M&S) all say it on the retailer page, but we did not check every brand. Look for 'pasteurised' in the description or ingredients.
How long does feta last once opened?
The Tesco and Yamas packs we checked say to use it within 3 days of opening and by the date shown. Keep it covered and chilled.
Can I eat feta in a Greek salad at a restaurant?
Only if they can tell you the feta is pasteurised. If they cannot, leave the feta off the plate. A baked or hot feta dish is fine.
Is baked feta pasta safe when pregnant?
Yes, if the feta is cooked until steaming hot all the way through. The NHS says any cheese cooked until steaming hot is safe, including soft cheese.
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.