Can I eat mozzarella cheese while pregnant?

According to FDA and ACOG guidelines, mozzarella cheese is safe for consumption during pregnancy if it is produced using pasteurized milk. Most mozzarella sold in U.S. grocery stores, including fresh, shredded, and string varieties, is pasteurized. The pasteurization process involves heating milk to specific temperatures (typically 161°F for 15 seconds) to eliminate pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes. Pregnant individuals are approximately 10 times more likely to contract listeriosis, which can lead to severe pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal infection. While soft cheeses are often highlighted as high-risk, the safety distinction depends entirely on pasteurization status. Guidelines advise checking labels for the 'pasteurized' statement. If a cheese is unpasteurized or the source is uncertain, heating it to an internal temperature of 165°F (steaming hot) is the standard recommendation to mitigate bacterial risks.