The arrival of winter is always accompanied by a good raclette. A friendly and comforting dish par excellence, is it safe during pregnancy?
Winter is a perfect season to enjoy a delicious raclette. This convivial dish is the perfect opportunity to share a warm moment with family or friends, with cheese as the star of the meal. If you are pregnant, a question may have crossed your mind: “Can I eat raclette without harm for my baby? In fact, certain cheeses are not recommended during pregnancy, mainly due to risks linked to listeriosis. Pregnant women should especially avoid cheeses made from raw milk.such as Camembert, Brie or Coulommiers, because the milk used is not pasteurized. But then, what about raclette cheese ?
Raclette while pregnant: is there a risk for the fetus?
Good news, it is entirely possible to enjoy raclette during pregnancy. This cheese, although it is based on raw cow’s milk, belongs to the category of cooked pressed cheeses and does not pose a danger to the fetus. Apart from unpasteurized raw milk, it is also the level of humidity present in the cheese which presents risks: the more humid a cheese is, the more it encourages the reproduction of bacteria. All hard or firm cheeses with a moisture content of less than 45% are safe for pregnant women. This information is generally present on the packaging, but it is also possible to ask your cheesemaker directly.
Regarding raclette, the principle is to heat the cheese until it melts on the potatoes. As Caroline Séguy, dietitian-nutritionist, explains: “Bacteria die when heated above 70°C, even listeria“. On the other hand, you have to make sure you heat the cheese really well to ensure its safety.
Furthermore, know thatthere is pasteurized raclette cheese, which should still be preferred during pregnancy : even if it is not well cooked, it does not present any danger. Finally, if you are a fan of raclettes, you will nevertheless have to deprive yourself of a key ingredient of this meal: charcuterie. Also remember to wash the vegetables for your side dishes as well as your potatoes.
