Can I eat blue cheese dressing while pregnant?

Guidelines from the FDA and ACOG indicate that soft cheeses, including blue cheese, are safe during pregnancy only if they are manufactured using pasteurized milk. Most mass-produced, shelf-stable, or refrigerated commercial blue cheese dressings in the United States utilize pasteurized milk and heat-treated eggs to ensure safety and shelf life. The primary risk associated with unpasteurized blue cheese is Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, which may lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or preterm labor. While the dressing base is often pasteurized, the blue cheese crumbles within the dressing must also be verified as pasteurized. In restaurant settings, dressings may be house-made using raw milk cheeses or unpasteurized eggs, significantly increasing the risk of foodborne illness. Checking labels for the word 'pasteurized' is the standard recommendation for ensuring safety.