Italians are known for their cheeses. There are many types of cheese worldwide, and most of them are known as Italian. Burrata cheese is a relatively new product that made it into our diets from the 20th century onwards. This newly developed cheese is soft and freshly produced from cow’s milk.
However, is it safe to eat burrata during pregnancy? This is the question we are trying to answer here on Hipregnancy. First, we explore the idea of eating burrata cheese when pregnant and if it is safe for you. Then, we try to answer some common questions about health risks and considerations of eating burrata during pregnancy. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Is It Safe to Eat Burrata During Pregnancy?
Many of the questions related to burrata, and the safety of its consumption during pregnancy, stem from the fact that there are many dos and don’ts when the subject is a matter of soft and hard cheese, .
According to NHS’s website, eating “all hard pasteurized cheeses” and “soft pasteurized cheeses without a white coating on the outside (rind) and processed cheese spreads” are safe during pregnancy. So, the question remains, is eating burrata during pregnancy safe?
Undoubtedly, no one can safely assume and categorize burrata cheese as a safe food to eat during pregnancy. However, eating burrata while pregnant is safe only when the cheese itself and the cream inside are made from pasteurized ingredients, especially milk.
Also Read: Goat Cheese While Pregnant
Is Burrata Cheese a Soft Cheese or Not?
The second most asked question about eating burrata during pregnancy is if it’s considered soft cheese or not. To answer this question, first, we should glance at what burrata is and why this kind of question comes to mind. As mentioned before, this product is an Italian cheese. To make a comparison, it mostly resembles Mozzarella in terms of taste and form.
But can we consider burrata a soft cheese that pregnant women should avoid at all costs? Soft cheese is known as the source of many contaminations, so eating soft cheese for pregnant women is frowned upon.
To answer the question, burrata is classified as a kind of soft cheese. For women to enjoy burrata cheese when pregnant, we should recall NHS’s advice about soft cheese, which is only allowed when made from pasteurized milk. [1: nhs]
Therefore, it is safe to assume that before considering adding this product to your diet or ordering a meal with burrata, ensure the cheese is made from pasteurized milk; This brings us to the next important question about this type of Italian cheese. Suggest you read the article Soft Cheese Pregnancy.
Also Read: Can Pregnant Women Eat Ricotta Cheese?
How to Choose the Best Burrata During Pregnancy?
Now that we know what burrata cheese is and how to use this product while pregnant, the second most popular question pops into our head: based on what we already know, how to choose the best product possible to avoid the negative side effects of soft cheese?
Although originally from Puglia Italy, burrata can be made everywhere, with any milk or any procedure. So, this cheese isn’t always guaranteed to be pasteurized when bought or ordered from a store.
One thing you can be sure of when buying burrata is checking its label. All U.S. products must use pasteurized ingredients, especially milk, to produce different kinds of cheese. Here are some tips on buying burrata when pregnant:
- Always try to eat burrata as fresh as possible after new manufacturing.
- Always check the label before purchasing the product to make sure it is made out of pasteurized milk.
- If you are using commercial products, consume them before the expiration date.
- Be mindful of the shipping conditions when shopping online. It is recommended to buy burrata freshly from a local store or deli.
Also Read: can pregnant women eat cream cheese
What are safe burrata cheese brands?
All brands making their burrata cheese with pasteurized ingredients, including milk and cream, are safe to eat while pregnant. Being aware of some safe brands before buying burrata while pregnant can help you choose the safe cheese and prevent any possible dangers.
Let’s look at the following table that shows you the safe burrata cheese brands in different countries.
| Country | Burrata cheese brands |
| UK | Asda Extra Special Burrata Mozzarella, Deliziosa, Galbani, Morrison’s The Best Burrata, and Waitrose No.1 Burrata Pugliese |
| USA and Canada | Lioni, Belgiogioso, Vanata, Gioia, Deca & Otto, and Di Stefano |
| Australia | Paesanella, La Casa Del Formaggio, and La Stella |
Hipregnancy recommends you check the label of the burrata chees to see whether its ingredients are pasteurized; this enables you to choose the safer option among various store brands. [2: pregnancyfoodchecker]
Pasteurized or Non-pasteurized Burrata Cheese
As evident from NHS and many other resources, eating non-pasteurized cheese is forbidden during pregnancy, and you should avoid consuming non-pasteurized burrata cheese at all costs.
However, when we’re talking about pasteurized or non-pasteurized cheese, we are talking about its main ingredient, milk! To understand why you shouldn’t eat burrata while pregnant, first, you should be aware of all the dangers unpasteurized milk may have:
Milk and all milk products have many health and nutritional benefits, especially for pregnant women. But raw milk can have serious dangers to the body, unlike regular pasteurized milk.
According to the FDA, raw milk contains some microorganisms that are dangerous to the body, and we should be aware of many reported outbreaks related to raw milk and soft cheese.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance to always try to consume pasteurized or ultra-heat treated (UHT) cheese and milk to be safe. [3: fda.gov]
Does Eating Raw or Cooked Burrata Cheese Make Any Differences?
Generally, it is advisable to always cook burrata before eating it. However, this is true for almost any uncooked and raw cheese because of possible bacterial infection.
One important consideration regarding cooked or uncooked cheese is that cooking isn’t equal to pasteurizing. So even if your burrata isn’t pasteurized, cooking doesn’t mean eating it is safe during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Throughout the nine months of pregnancy, you will experience many ups and downs when choosing which foods to eat and which ones to avoid.
This article was about eating burrata during pregnancy, a piece of soft Italian cheese with a delicious taste and satisfying experience. Overall, it isn’t easily categorized as a safe or not-safe food because it depends on the main ingredient, milk, or how it is made and served.
Remember that being cooked isn’t a license to eat burrata when pregnant. As always, consult with your healthcare professional about the specific burrata cheese you will eat.
FAQs
1. Is burrata pasteurized?
There are both pasteurized burrata cheese and non-pasteurized one, which are classified by pasteurization of their ingredients such as milk and cream.
2. Can I eat fresh burrata cheese when pregnant?
You can enjoy consuming fresh burrata cheese while pregnant, as long as it is made from pasteurized milk and cream.
3. Can I eat cooked burrata while pregnant?
Of course. Cooking can kill harmful bacteria and change your dish to a healthy pregnancy food; therefore, cooked burrata is safe for pregnant ladies and their babies.
4. Is burrata cheese a mozzarella?
No, burrata cheese and mozzarella are not the same. The main difference between them is related to the milk used to make these two cheeses. Burrata is made from goat’s milk, but mozzarella is made from cow’s milk.
Furthermore, burrata has softer and creamier texture than mozzarella. Recommend you read the article Can You Eat Mozzarella While Pregnant?
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