Is soft cheese really that bad?

[BroccoliSpears]

I don't count the vacume packed Sainsburys pasturised Brie (surely that's sanitised enough to be safe?), but this weekend I went to lunch with a French woman who served the most DELICIOUS warm ripe soft cheeses. Mmmm - they were so good.

Was it really really bad to indulge? If Mumsnet says "YES, you thoughtless dunderhead" then I shall abstain for the next 6 months and consider myself chastened.

I didn't have any wine with supper, but I did get a lecture about the cheese from a wine-supping, cheese-avoiding fellow pregnant dinner guest.

I didn;t eat any soft cheese throughout first pregnancy, but ate plenty of unpasteurised stinking, dripping, soft cheeses second time around. I'd say yes, eat the cheese!

if it's been cooked, then it's fine.

also, the only risk is if you get listeria rom it - which is unlikely anyway

That's the thing Beenleigh, I would never have touched anything 'forbidden in my first pregnancy.

PFB vs SNC - it's starting already!

This is it, Starlight - every country seems to have different rules. Surely gestation isn't THAT different in Poland...?

I said to the pg woman that I was sure most French women didn't stay clear of soft cheese, and she said that French women are "used to eating soft cheese all the time" so it's different for them .

As far as I know the soft cheese risk is if you get listeria (or whatever bug it is) from eating it, it may damage your baby, so it is your choice whether to take the risk (fairly miniscule imo, and I didn't refuse soft cheeses when offered)

SNC - subsequent neglected children. (Am tongue in cheek, of course)

Second neglected child??

If its pasturised, its FINE, soft or hard.

Aah, not far off, then

The risk from some soft cheeses (and other foods) is listeria. See here for information from the HPA including epidemiological data on incidence. There were 186 reported cases in pregnant women in 2006.

The risk is statistically small but it's up to you to get all the facts and decide whether you consider it a manageable risk.

don't mind avoiding soft cheese but being italian I cannot resist the odd bit of parma ham (as I've done last week back home). same issues. did eat it in first pg too, I did not have a PFB, just a FNC!

It's just common sense, If you are going to indulge, just make sure what you get is SUPER FRESH and has not been on the shelf for too long.
at wine supping fellow pregnant dinner!

French women (i believe) are not advised to avoid soft cheese or pate.

I've still avoided it this time, but only to make my occasoinal glass of red wine seem less naughty!

Roll on Xmas....soooooooo much cheese and pate.

i haven't had any wine this morning- i can usually spell occassional. Honest.

French women suffer more cases of Toxoplasmosis as a result of the non pasturised cheese and the lack of warning

(according to the folks at the hospital I was at for DS1)

also Americans statistically more Strep B.

Wasn't given a reason for that though.