Can I eat mascarpone while pregnant?

According to FDA and ACOG guidelines, soft cheeses like mascarpone are considered safe for consumption during pregnancy if they are manufactured using pasteurized milk. In the United States, the vast majority of commercially available mascarpone is pasteurized, a process that involves heating milk to eliminate pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis is a primary concern during pregnancy because it can cross the placenta, potentially leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe neonatal infection. While the cheese itself is safe when pasteurized, it is frequently an ingredient in desserts like traditional tiramisu, which often incorporates raw or undercooked eggs. Guidelines recommend avoiding raw eggs due to Salmonella risks. Therefore, safety depends on both the pasteurization of the dairy and the preparation of the final dish. Verifying labels for the 'pasteurized' seal is a standard safety practice.