Pregnancy food guidance, in plain English

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy. UK supermarket cream cheese (including Philadelphia) is made from pasteurised milk.

Safe to eat
Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is safe to eat during pregnancy as long as it is made from pasteurised milk, which is the case for all major UK brands including Philadelphia, Lurpak, and own-brand supermarket varieties. Cream cheese does not have a mould rind and is not a mould-ripened cheese, so it does not carry the same Listeria concerns as Brie or Camembert. If you are buying cream cheese from a deli, farm shop, or specialty food shop, it is worth checking that it is made from pasteurised milk. Cream cheese frosting on cakes and desserts is also safe.

What to be aware of

  • All major UK supermarket cream cheese brands are pasteurised and safe.
  • Check the label on artisan or deli varieties — look for 'pasteurised milk'.
  • Cream cheese frosting on cakes and bakes is safe.

NHS guidance: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/

Pregnancy-safe recipes

These recipes are designed with pregnancy safety in mind.

Cream cheese and cucumber bagel

Cream cheese and cucumber bagel

A simple, satisfying lunch that is completely safe throughout pregnancy.

Ingredients

  • 2 plain or sesame bagels, halved and toasted
  • 4 tbsp cream cheese
  • Half a cucumber, thinly sliced
  • Black pepper
  • Optional: fresh dill, lemon zest

Method

  1. Toast the bagel halves until golden.
  2. Spread each half generously with cream cheese.
  3. Layer over cucumber slices.
  4. Season with black pepper.
  5. Add dill or lemon zest if using.
  6. Serve immediately.
Cream cheese pasta with lemon and herbs

Cream cheese pasta with lemon and herbs

A quick, creamy pasta dish using cream cheese as the sauce — ready in 15 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 300g pasta (linguine or spaghetti)
  • 150g cream cheese
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • Large handful of fresh chives or parsley, chopped
  • Parmesan to serve
  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Cook pasta according to packet instructions, reserving a cup of pasta water.
  2. Gently soften garlic in a little olive oil in a pan for 1 minute.
  3. Add cream cheese, lemon juice, zest, and a splash of pasta water.
  4. Stir over low heat until smooth and warmed through.
  5. Toss with drained pasta and fresh herbs.
  6. Loosen with more pasta water if needed and season well.
  7. Serve with grated Parmesan.