Can you eat burrata while pregnant?

Yes, you can eat burrata while pregnant if it is made from pasteurised milk. Current NHS guidance specifically lists pasteurised burrata among the soft cheeses that are safe to eat during pregnancy.

The detail to check is pasteurisation. Burrata is a fresh, soft cheese, so if you are buying it from a supermarket, deli or restaurant, make sure the milk used to make it has been pasteurised.

You do not need to cook pasteurised burrata before eating it. It can be served cold, provided it has been stored correctly and is within its use-by date.

Why does pasteurisation matter with burrata?

Pasteurisation is a heat treatment used to kill harmful bacteria in milk.

The NHS advises avoiding unpasteurised milk and certain unpasteurised dairy products during pregnancy because they may contain listeria bacteria. Listeria can cause an infection called listeriosis.

Pregnant people are among those at higher risk of serious problems from listeriosis. This is why pregnancy food guidance distinguishes between different dairy products and how they have been made.

For burrata, the NHS guidance is straightforward: pasteurised burrata is safe to eat.

Most milk, cheese and butter sold in UK supermarkets is pasteurised, according to the NHS, but checking the packaging is still sensible.

How can you tell if burrata is pasteurised?

Check the packaging first.

The label may state that the burrata is made from pasteurised milk or list pasteurised cow’s milk or buffalo milk in the ingredients.

If you are buying burrata from a deli, market or specialist cheese shop and the label is unclear, ask the retailer.

The same applies in a restaurant. Burrata is often served cold with tomatoes, salad, bread or vegetables, so it is reasonable to ask whether the cheese is pasteurised before ordering.

You do not need to guess based on how the burrata looks. Pasteurised and unpasteurised cheeses may look very similar.

Can you eat buffalo burrata while pregnant?

Yes, if it is pasteurised.

The type of animal the milk comes from does not change the basic NHS advice. Pasteurised dairy products made from cows’, sheep’s or goats’ milk are included among foods that can be eaten during pregnancy, and pasteurised burrata is specifically listed as safe.

Burrata may be made from cow’s milk or buffalo milk depending on the product.

Check the label rather than assuming that buffalo-milk burrata is automatically pasteurised.

If the product does not clearly state how the milk was treated, ask the manufacturer or retailer.

Can you eat burrata cold?

Yes. Pasteurised burrata does not need to be cooked before eating during pregnancy.

That means you can have it cold in dishes such as a tomato and burrata salad, on toast or alongside cooked vegetables.

Normal food hygiene still matters. Burrata is a fresh refrigerated cheese, so follow the storage instructions on the packaging and eat it before its use-by date.

If you are using burrata in a pre-packaged salad or sandwich, NHS pregnancy guidance says these products should be kept chilled and eaten before their use-by date.

Can you eat burrata in a restaurant?

Yes, provided the burrata is pasteurised.

Restaurant menus do not always say whether a cheese is pasteurised, so asking is the simplest option if you are unsure.

You might say, “Is the burrata made from pasteurised milk?”

If staff cannot confirm, you may prefer another dish or a cheese that is clearly suitable during pregnancy.

Also consider the other ingredients served with the burrata. Raw vegetables and salads should be washed thoroughly, while ingredients such as cured meat, raw fish or certain other cheeses have separate pregnancy food safety guidance.

The burrata itself is suitable if it is pasteurised.

Can you eat burrata on pizza while pregnant?

Yes, pasteurised burrata can be eaten on pizza.

Because pasteurised burrata is already listed as safe by the NHS, it does not need to reach a particular temperature simply because you are pregnant.

This is different from mould-ripened soft cheeses such as brie and camembert, or soft blue cheeses such as gorgonzola and Roquefort. The NHS says those cheeses need to be thoroughly cooked until steaming hot.

If burrata is added to a pizza after baking, check that it is pasteurised.

Other pizza toppings may have their own pregnancy guidance. Cold cured meats such as salami and pepperoni, for example, should be cooked until steaming hot before eating during pregnancy according to the NHS.

Is burrata the same as mozzarella during pregnancy?

They are different cheeses, but current NHS pregnancy guidance treats pasteurised versions of both as safe to eat.

Burrata has a mozzarella-like outer shell with a soft, creamy centre. Mozzarella has a more consistent texture throughout.

The NHS lists pasteurised mozzarella and pasteurised burrata among soft cheeses that are safe during pregnancy.

For either cheese, checking that it is pasteurised is the useful step.

This differs from soft mould-ripened and soft blue cheeses, where pasteurisation alone does not remove the recommendation to cook them thoroughly.

What about unpasteurised burrata?

The NHS specifically lists pasteurised burrata as safe during pregnancy and advises avoiding unpasteurised milk, cream, yoghurt, butter and ice cream.

Because burrata is a fresh soft cheese, do not assume an unpasteurised version has the same guidance as pasteurised burrata.

If a burrata is labelled as made with raw or unpasteurised milk, speak to your midwife, GP or another qualified health professional if you are unsure whether a particular product is suitable.

Choosing pasteurised burrata is the straightforward way to follow current NHS pregnancy food guidance.

How should you store burrata?

Keep burrata refrigerated and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.

Pay attention to the use-by date. Fresh dairy products are perishable, and a use-by date relates to food safety rather than simply quality.

Once you open the package, follow any instructions about how soon the cheese should be eaten.

If burrata has been left unrefrigerated for longer than the manufacturer’s instructions allow, do not rely on smell or appearance alone to decide whether it is safe.

When eating out, restaurants are responsible for storing food safely, but you can ask questions if something about the food concerns you.

Is burrata nutritious during pregnancy?

Burrata can be one of many dairy foods included in a varied pregnancy diet.

The NHS says dairy products such as milk, cheese and yoghurt provide calcium and other nutrients. Calcium is important during pregnancy because it contributes to the development of your baby’s bones.

You do not need to eat burrata specifically to meet your nutritional needs. Other dairy foods and suitable fortified alternatives can contribute too.

If you have allergies, dietary restrictions or have been given individual nutritional advice during pregnancy, your midwife, GP or dietitian can help you work out what is appropriate for you.

What if you already ate burrata and do not know if it was pasteurised?

It is understandable to wonder about a food after you have already eaten it.

The NHS says that if you have already eaten a small amount of something that should be avoided during pregnancy, it is unlikely to affect your baby if you did not become ill.

If you still have the packaging, check whether the burrata was pasteurised. If you ate it at a restaurant, you may be able to contact them and ask which product they use.

If you feel well, the NHS does not advise seeking help simply because you ate a small amount of a food that should be avoided. Speak to your midwife or GP if you are worried.

If you develop symptoms after eating a food that should be avoided during pregnancy, seek professional advice.

When to get professional advice

Talk to your midwife or GP if you are unsure whether a particular burrata is suitable for you, especially if it was made from unpasteurised milk or you have individual dietary or medical considerations.

The NHS advises contacting NHS 111 if you are pregnant and feel unwell after eating food or drink that should be avoided in pregnancy, or if you develop symptoms of listeriosis.

Symptoms of listeriosis can include a high temperature, aches and pains, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. During pregnancy, stomach ache or noticing your baby moving less than usual can also occur.

If you are concerned about reduced or changed fetal movements, contact your maternity unit or midwife for advice.

For a life-threatening emergency, call 999.