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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Baking Camembert...

22 replies

OccasionalNachos · 20/12/2019 18:37

I’m 35 weeks pregnant, not quite on mat leave yet & have been looking forward to a baked Camembert all week. But the packaging says no for expectant women (& this is a specifically packaged up cheese for baking) - is the warning just for people intending to eat it cold?

Sad

I am a sensible person and I know guidelines are just guidelines and the risk is small, etc. But I am fretting. What would you do?

Baking Camembert...
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ChicaXS · 20/12/2019 18:52

Can’t eat it I’m afraid it’s made with unpasteurised milk. I had the same cravings

DecemberSnow · 20/12/2019 18:53

I wouldnt

EstebanTheMagnificent · 20/12/2019 18:56

No, @chicaXS. NHS is clear that it’s safe if cooked until bubbling: www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/can-i-eat-cooked-brie-and-blue-cheese-during-pregnancy/.

Milk is pasteurised if you heat it to 72° for 15 seconds. Baking the cheese will heat it to a higher temperature than this, and for longer, so you will effectively pasteurise it yourself.

snowtigerballs · 20/12/2019 18:57

Pretty sure you can eat it as when baked it takes around 20mins at 180 or above? I ate baked Camembert pregnant, a quick google says;

"Thorough cooking should kill any bacteria, so it should be safe to eat cooked soft cheeses, such as baked brie or deep-fried camembert, or dishes that contain them. Hard blue cheeses, such as stilton, are safe to eat without cooking."

Annafs · 20/12/2019 18:57

Listeria is rare but it’s horrendous and fatal, so I personally would avoid. The NHS has quite thorough guidance on cheeses in pregnancy if that will help.

EstebanTheMagnificent · 20/12/2019 18:58

Can we stop scaremongering and refer back to proper evidence, please?

tisonlymeagain · 20/12/2019 19:03

I've been eating it all the way through, camembert when baked in the oven for a good 20-25 mins is hotter than the surface of the sun, it's fine - and I believe that's the guidance from the NHS too. Just don't eat it uncooked.

(In fact I'm having it tonight, yum!)

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 20/12/2019 19:04

Esteban is right. The NHS say that it's fine if you cook it properly. You want it cooked anyway, it's a camembert!

I love camembert. I'm on a diet but desperate to get a Christmas camembert in somewhere...

Original poster
OccasionalNachos · 20/12/2019 19:09

Mixed reviews then! I had read the NHS guidelines but was just thrown by the packaging warning. It will bake for nearly half an hour at gas 6.

There is other (less good) food available to me tonight so I’ll give it a miss and reconsider tomorrow...

OP posts:
EstebanTheMagnificent · 20/12/2019 19:10

OP, eat your Camembert! Gas mark 6 is 200°C. NOTHING will survive that.

crazycatbaby · 20/12/2019 19:13

The packaging says it's made with pasteurised milk, and you're going to be eating it cooked. I definitely would, and have. I've gone off the NHS advice.

YippieKayakOtherBuckets · 20/12/2019 19:14

When did everyone start treating poorly informed personal opinions (however well-meaning) as the equivalent of evidence-based science?

OP, you’ve been referred to clear, reliable evidence that it’s perfectly safe for you to eat a baked Camembert.

StealthPussy · 20/12/2019 19:16

I was going to say no but then read that you can eat it baked. Wish I’d known that a decade ago.

Original poster
OccasionalNachos · 20/12/2019 19:22

@YippieKayakOtherBuckets yes, I am aware of the evidence & irritated at myself for even starting a thread. Pregnancy has affected my sense of self a little bit. I’ve had the occasional Prosecco at weddings, and didn’t find out I was pregnant until nearly 8 weeks in & managed to pack quite a lot of drinking, saunas, sunbathing, pate and Brie into those eight weeks. And we’re both fine. But still, I panic occasionally. Thank you for the sense chat!

OP posts:
YippieKayakOtherBuckets · 20/12/2019 19:25

Enjoy your Camembert, OP Flowers

StealthPussy · 20/12/2019 19:26

I recommend grinding some garlic herbs over it and dipping asparagus in it.

Bibbidybobbitysplated · 20/12/2019 19:27

NHS are notoriously strict on what to eat during pregnancy. If they say its OK its definitely OK

Can't wait for mine to arrive in tomorrows sainsburys food delivery Grin

Original poster
OccasionalNachos · 20/12/2019 19:33

Glad I’ve managed to inspire a few others! Don’t forget the good French bread...

OP posts:
crazycatbaby · 20/12/2019 19:38

Enjoy, I had one the other week with garlic, rosemary and smoked oil 🤤

Felinewoman · 20/12/2019 21:58

Omg, I have the same irrational fear. I made a camembert in the oven for dinner tonight. 200C for approx. 20 mins and it was delicious but then the doubts set in. Pregnancy has definitely deleted my brain. I am a biologist and my rational mind says it's fine as it was heated properly but preggo brain is scared Hmm

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 20/12/2019 22:01

Enjoy it baked nice and hot @OccasionalNachos!!!

Nelbert19 · 21/12/2019 06:18

My midwife specifically told me at my booking in appointment that it was safe to eat baked Camembert. I liked her priorities!

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