Can You Eat Halloumi When Pregnant?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against NHS foods-to-avoid guidance · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes — halloumi is safe in pregnancy if it's made with pasteurised milk or cooked until steaming hot. Check the label; not every pack says.
Why is halloumi safe in pregnancy?
The NHS lists halloumi with the soft cheeses that are safe in pregnancy if pasteurised. Many UK packs say they are made with pasteurised milk, but it is the label that tells you, and the halloumi PDO name does not guarantee it. Halloumi is usually grilled or fried, and the NHS says any cheese cooked until steaming hot is safe.
You can also check the calorie content of halloumi alongside its safety information. Also check medication safety during pregnancy if you're managing any conditions.
The exception
If the label doesn't say pasteurised (or says raw or unpasteurised milk), only eat it cooked until steaming hot all the way through. Cut it thin so the middle gets hot, not just the outside.
Is halloumi pasteurised? It depends on the pack
The NHS lists halloumi and paneer with the soft cheeses that are safe in pregnancy if pasteurised. So the real question, and the one people search, is whether your halloumi is. There is no universal answer:
- Two UK products we checked say so. Tesco Finest Halloumi is described as 'made with pasteurised ewe's and goat's milk', and Ocado's Cypressa Cypriot Halloumi says 'PDO halloumi cheese made with pasteurised cow's, goat's and sheep's milk'.
- 'Cypriot' or 'PDO' is not proof. A February 2023 Cyprus Mail report says the agriculture ministry allowed changes to the halloumi PDO status, including 'the possibility of using fresh unpasteurised milk'. Pasteurisation is therefore not guaranteed by the PDO name alone.
- The label is the answer. Look for 'pasteurised' in the product description, the ingredients ('milk (pasteurised)'), or the back-of-pack text. If it is silent, treat it as unconfirmed.
What to do depending on what the label says
| Your halloumi | Eaten raw (e.g. cold in a salad) | Cooked until steaming hot |
|---|---|---|
| Label says pasteurised | Safe (NHS) | Safe |
| Label doesn't say, or says unpasteurised or raw milk | Avoid | Safe: the NHS says any cheese cooked until steaming hot, including soft or blue cheese, is safe. Cut it thin and cook until it is hot all the way through, not just golden outside |
| Restaurant or street-food halloumi | Ask. If they can't say, avoid it cold | Halloumi grilled or fried to order and served hot is fine |
| Halloumi fries and halloumi burgers | n/a | Fine if served hot; ask if unsure |
A 20-second label check
- Find the word 'pasteurised' (or 'made with pasteurised milk') on the front, the description or the ingredients list.
- No wording at all? Look it up on the retailer's product page, or cook it until steaming hot.
- Brined packs: check the use-by date and keep the pack in the fridge; the NHS says to eat chilled ready-to-eat foods before the use-by date.
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) — halloumi and paneer with the pasteurised soft cheeses; cheese cooked until steaming hot is safe; last reviewed 15 June 2026
- Tommy's: Foods to avoid in pregnancy — halloumi is a soft cheese and is fine if pasteurised
- Tesco: Finest Halloumi Cheese 225g (product page) — product description: made with pasteurised ewe's and goat's milk (checked 28 October 2026)
- Ocado: Cypressa Cypriot Halloumi Cheese (product page) — product description: PDO halloumi made with pasteurised cow's, goat's and sheep's milk (checked 28 October 2026)
- Cyprus Mail (15-16 Feb 2023): changes to the halloumi PDO specification — reported change to the PDO allowing fresh unpasteurised milk
- NHS: Listeriosis — do nothing unless symptoms; symptoms; contact 111 or midwife
As an Amazon Associate, CJ Affiliate and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Pregnancy essentials
Pregnancy food guide
A paper reference for the fridge door — no more mid-supermarket googling.
Check Price →Digital food thermometer
Cooked through means 75°C in the middle — a probe ends the guesswork.
Check Price →Links open your local Amazon store. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Want to know exactly what's in your food? Our ingredient checker covers E-numbers, allergens and vegan status.
More pregnancy essentials
Baby-safe food thermometer
Useful for pregnancy cooking checks and later for baby food.
Check Price →Halloumi: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| While breastfeeding | Safe |
Common questions
Is halloumi pasteurised?
Not always. The two UK products we checked, Tesco Finest and Ocado's Cypressa, state that they are made with pasteurised milk. But Cyprus Mail reported in February 2023 that changes to the halloumi PDO allowed the possibility of using fresh unpasteurised milk, so 'Cypriot' or 'PDO' on the pack is not proof. Check the label.
Can I eat halloumi when pregnant?
Yes, if it is made with pasteurised milk (the NHS lists halloumi with the pasteurised soft cheeses) or if it has been cooked until steaming hot all the way through.
Can I eat halloumi if I'm not sure it's pasteurised?
Only cooked. The NHS says any cheese cooked until steaming hot, including soft or blue cheese, is safe. Cut the halloumi thin and cook it until it is hot all the way through. Avoid it cold in a salad unless you have confirmed it is pasteurised.
Can I eat halloumi in the first trimester?
Yes, on the same terms: pasteurised, or cooked until steaming hot. The NHS cheese advice does not change by trimester.
Is halloumi in restaurants safe in pregnancy?
Usually yes when it is grilled or fried to order and served hot. If it comes cold (in a salad or meze plate), ask whether it is pasteurised and, if they can't say, leave it.
I accidentally ate halloumi and I'm not sure it was pasteurised. What should I do?
The NHS says foods that may carry listeria do not always contain it, and that you do not need to do anything unless you get symptoms (fever, aches, chills, sickness, diarrhoea, stomach ache or reduced baby movement). If you do, contact your midwife, GP or NHS 111 urgently.
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.