Pregnancy food guidance
Raw milk
Avoid
Avoid unpasteurized milk and dairy products made from raw milk during pregnancy.
What changes the answer for Raw milk
- Pasteurized milk: safer.
- Raw or unpasteurized milk: avoid.
- If the label is unclear: choose another product.
Why it matters for Raw milk
Raw milk can carry harmful germs, including Listeria.
Practical takeaway
Look for the word pasteurized on the package.
Evidence interpretation
Emily Oster’s perspective on Raw milk
Oster treats unpasteurized cheese as a meaningful Listeria concern rather than grouping it with lower-consequence food restrictions.
Read the ParentData analysis (opens in a new tab)Sources and review details
- Review status
- Source reviewed
- Last reviewed
- Guidance region
- United States