Is Trader Joe's crumbled feta pasteurized? The definitive answer for safe consumption

January 1, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the ingredient list prominently featured on the official Trader Joe's website, their crumbled feta cheese is explicitly made with pasteurized milk. This is a crucial safety assurance for consumers, particularly those with compromised immune systems or who are pregnant.

Quick Summary

Trader Joe's crumbled feta is confirmed to be pasteurized through its ingredient list. This makes it a safe option for most consumers, including pregnant women, when handled properly.

Key Points

Yes, it's pasteurized: Both the regular and organic Trader Joe's crumbled feta are made from pasteurized milk, as stated in their ingredients.
Safe for pregnant women: Because the milk is pasteurized, Trader Joe's crumbled feta is generally considered safe for pregnant women, who must avoid unpasteurized soft cheeses.
Listeria risk is reduced: Pasteurization is a heat treatment that kills harmful bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes, significantly lowering the risk of foodborne illness.
Always check for recalls: Despite being pasteurized, it is wise to check for any recent recalls, as cross-contamination can occasionally occur.
Easy to verify: The pasteurization status is clearly listed on the product packaging, making it easy for consumers to confirm before purchasing.
Not the only option: While pasteurization makes it safe, some cheese enthusiasts argue raw milk cheese offers a more complex flavor, but it carries a higher risk.

Yes, Trader Joe's Crumbled Feta Is Pasteurized

For anyone concerned about food safety, particularly when consuming soft cheeses like feta, the pasteurization status is paramount. A quick look at the product details on Trader Joe's official website confirms that both their standard and organic crumbled feta varieties are made with pasteurized milk. This step involves heating the milk to a specific temperature to kill harmful bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause serious illness.

The Importance of Pasteurization

Pasteurization is a heat treatment process that eliminates pathogenic bacteria from food and drink. It was first developed by Louis Pasteur in 1862. For dairy products like cheese, it significantly reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses without negatively impacting the cheese's nutritional value. While many artisanal or imported cheeses might use unpasteurized, or raw, milk for specific flavor profiles, most commercial cheeses sold in the U.S. use pasteurized milk due to public health and safety regulations.

Soft cheeses like feta are of particular concern when made with raw milk because their higher moisture content can be a breeding ground for bacteria like Listeria. This is why health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), advise pregnant women and other high-risk individuals to only eat cheeses labeled as pasteurized. The fact that Trader Joe's makes this clear on their packaging provides peace of mind for shoppers.

Comparing Trader Joe's Crumbled Feta Varieties

Trader Joe's offers several variations of crumbled feta, all of which are pasteurized. Here is a comparison of two popular options:


Feature	Regular Crumbled Feta	Organic Crumbled Feta
Milk Source	Pasteurized Cow's Milk	Pasteurized Organic Cow's Milk
Sourcing	A fourth-generation Wisconsin cheesemaking family	Also made in Wisconsin with organic milk
Flavor Profile	Known for its firm, crumbly, and tangy taste	Milder flavor than traditional sheep's milk feta
Anti-caking Agent	Potato Starch	Cellulose Powder
Packaging	Resealable tub	Standard plastic tub

Recent Recalls and Vigilance

While Trader Joe's crumbled feta has not been specifically named in recent recalls, the company has issued recalls for other cheese and pasta products in 2025 due to potential Listeria contamination. This is a crucial reminder that even with pasteurized products, cross-contamination can occur. As a result, it is essential for consumers, especially those in high-risk groups, to stay informed about product advisories and recalls. Trader Joe's maintains a page on their website for up-to-date food safety announcements.

How to Verify Any Cheese is Pasteurized

For any cheese, whether from Trader Joe's or elsewhere, confirming its pasteurization status is straightforward. The primary method is to check the product label for the words "pasteurized" or "made with pasteurized milk". If the label does not explicitly state this, it is best to avoid it, particularly if you are in a vulnerable group. When dining out, do not hesitate to ask your server about the pasteurization status of any soft cheeses, especially imported varieties.

Conclusion: Feta Safety at Trader Joe's

To answer the question, "Is Trader Joe's crumbled feta pasteurized?", the answer is a clear yes. The product ingredients confirm that the milk used is pasteurized, ensuring a high level of safety for the vast majority of consumers. For those who need to be extra cautious, such as pregnant women or individuals with weakened immune systems, this pasteurization is a critical factor in making it a safe choice. However, responsible food consumption also means staying aware of potential recalls, even for pasteurized items. Always check the packaging, review any current advisories, and enjoy your feta with confidence. For official product information and the latest recall updates, always check the Trader Joe's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Trader Joe's crumbled feta is made from pasteurized milk and is therefore considered safe for pregnant women. However, it's always recommended to stay informed about any product recalls and to handle the cheese with good food safety practices.

You can confirm its pasteurization status by checking the ingredients list on the packaging, which explicitly states "pasteurized milk". This is the most reliable way to verify.

Both are made with pasteurized milk, but the organic version uses organic cow's milk and a different anti-caking agent (cellulose powder instead of potato starch). The flavor profile is also slightly different, with the organic option being described as milder.

While cooking can help kill some bacteria, it is still safest to avoid unpasteurized cheeses, especially for high-risk individuals. Relying on the product being pasteurized is the best and most reliable approach.

While Trader Joe's crumbled feta specifically has not been involved in recent recalls, the company did issue a recall for other cheese and pasta products in 2025 due to potential Listeria contamination. This highlights the importance of checking for current recall notices.

Artisanal cheesemakers sometimes use unpasteurized, or raw, milk to achieve a more complex and nuanced flavor profile. However, this practice is subject to strict regulations, and most mass-produced cheese in the US is pasteurized for safety.

Yes, while pasteurization kills bacteria in the milk, cross-contamination is still possible after the process if a product is handled improperly or manufactured in an unsanitary environment. This is why following food safety protocols and watching for recalls is important.