Journal · Health & raw milk
Official guidance advises against raw-milk cheeses during pregnancy, and AOP Roquefort is always made from raw milk. Here is what that means, explained by a raw-milk house since 1927.
In short
Chapter I
Raw milk, always: that is what Roquefort is.
The appellation requires whole, raw ewe’s milk. Its natural flora shapes the aromas during ageing.
Since 1927, over three generations, we have worked fresh daily milk from 13 partner farms. Discover our raw ewe’s milk Roquefort.
No. Pasteurised blue cheeses are different cheeses. Read what is Roquefort.
Chapter II
The germ in question is Listeria monocytogenes.
A bacterium found in the environment; listeriosis can be serious for pregnant women, babies, older and immunocompromised people.
Milking hygiene, regular analyses and close monitoring of ageing aim to prevent and detect.
No control can guarantee total absence, hence the precautionary principle.
We will never claim our Roquefort is “risk-free”.
Daily care limits risk without cancelling it. See making and ageing.
Chapter III
Pasteurisation heats milk to destroy most micro-organisms, and changes the cheese.
It removes much of the natural flora: more regular, often milder cheeses.
Raw milk carries a sense of place. More on artisan Roquefort.
Chapter IV
First advice: don’t panic.
A one-off exposure is not an infection. Stay attentive and talk to your healthcare professional.
Only they can assess your situation. This guide is not medical advice.
Chapter V
General guidance offers a more nuanced answer.
Thorough cooking, served piping hot, would destroy listeria. Medical advice still comes first.
A Roquefort sauce, a Roquefort quiche or a Roquefort puff pastry, served straight from the oven.
Chapter VI
Young children, older people and immunocompromised people are also advised to avoid raw-milk cheeses. Ask your doctor.
French health authorities publish regularly updated dietary advice for pregnancy and vulnerable groups.
Chapter VII
Keep it refrigerated and well wrapped. Details in our storage guide.
Chapter VIII
Raw milk is a choice of taste and tradition we have embraced since 1927. Roquefort will wait for you after pregnancy.
We make raw-milk cheese. Our job is to work it carefully, and to say clearly who it does not suit.
FAQ
01.
Official guidance advises against raw-milk cheeses during pregnancy; Roquefort is always raw-milk. Ask your doctor or midwife.
02.
Controls aim to prevent it, but with raw milk the risk cannot be considered zero.
03.
No. Pasteurised blue cheeses are other cheeses.
04.
Thorough cooking served piping hot would destroy listeria; ask your doctor first.
05.
Each situation differs: ask your doctor, midwife or a breastfeeding professional.
06.
Pasteurised milk is heated to destroy most micro-organisms; raw milk keeps its natural flora.
07.
Don’t panic. Watch for fever and talk to your healthcare professional.
Our raw milk
Fresh daily milk from 13 partner farms and three generations of know-how.
For after pregnancy, or as a gift: Visit the shop
Further reading
To discover the house and its raw milk, see our reference page on roquefort and pregnancy.
