Is cheese dip from Mexican restaurants safe?

lauren0515

My husband and I are going out for Mexican for lunch today and I am wondering if the cheese dip is safe to eat.  We are going to a chain restaurant in NC.  I have read online that it is not safe, and some things say it is okay in moderation.  Do any of you know?  My doctor did not give me a list of any foods to stay away from.  I was just told to practice moderation. 

I love this dip and would not go if I can't eat it.  I only get mexican about twice a year because my husband is not a fan of it. 

Thanks for the help.

darlynn78

Right now I'm only eating pasteurized cheeses, unless they are cooked.  They probably say that because of the threat of certain bacteria present in unpasteurized cheese, but if you are talking about the hot queso dip that usually comes out steaming, I would have to gander that that is alright.  As long as it is cooked thoroughly I don't see the harm.  I ate a LOT of queso and chips when I was pregnant with my son  

darlynn78

OH and BTW, that sounds FABULOUS   Enjoy!

hmwm

its mostly vegetable oil...you are fine.

lauren0515

Thanks girls! I am looking forward to it.

stewa1sr

I got a list from my dr. this past friday and it said to stay away from mexican cheeses such as Queso.  But way back when our moms were pregnant with us they weren't told to avoid specific foods other than alcohol... so I think everything in moderation is fine.

weelass24

Oh, FFS.

• unpasturised Queso BLANCO = no good
• Queso dip = FINE

 

It's made with Asedero cheese, which is NOT queso blanco.

ETA: Also, if you are eating at a chain, I can guarantee you there is no unpasturized cheese in the place.

tiesq

Make sure the cheese (or salsa for that matter) hasn't crusted at all around the outside of the dish.  This usually means it's been sitting out for a while, or has been reheated.  I lived in Mexico City for a while and was always told it was a no-no to eat any dip that came out like that because its likely full of bacteria. 

RJHarmon

It is fine.  BTW Queso means cheese in English.  The queso that you get at the store or a chain style restaurant is likely cheddar based and 100% ok.

ohiostategal

With one of my previous pregnancies I asked a restaurant once if their cheese was pasteurized and the manager said by law they are required to serve only pasteurized cheese.  he said it was the same for groceries.  The only place I have encountered unpasteurized cheese is at my farmers market.  

elottino

ohiostategal:

With one of my previous pregnancies I asked a restaurant once if their cheese was pasteurized and the manager said by law they are required to serve only pasteurized cheese.  he said it was the same for groceries.  The only place I have encountered unpasteurized cheese is at my farmers market.  

That's not exactly true.  There are unpasteurized cheeses in the grocery store.  It is not illegal to sell unpasteurized cheese, but it is against health code to MAKE it in the US.  Cheese imported to the the US may be unpasteurized.  

At my restaurant we serve a gruyere in almost every item on the menu that is not pasteurized and imported from Switzerland.  It is always heated, though.  We've never gotten anyone sick from it. 

ams8099

elottino:

ohiostategal:

With one of my previous pregnancies I asked a restaurant once if their cheese was pasteurized and the manager said by law they are required to serve only pasteurized cheese.  he said it was the same for groceries.  The only place I have encountered unpasteurized cheese is at my farmers market.  

That's not exactly true.  There are unpasteurized cheeses in the grocery store.  It is not illegal to sell unpasteurized cheese, but it is against health code to MAKE it in the US.  Cheese imported to the the US may be unpasteurized.  

At my restaurant we serve a gruyere in almost every item on the menu that is not pasteurized and imported from Switzerland.  It is always heated, though.  We've never gotten anyone sick from it. 

Right. All you need to do is read the label. 

RunningGal900

ams8099:

elottino:

ohiostategal:

With one of my previous pregnancies I asked a restaurant once if their cheese was pasteurized and the manager said by law they are required to serve only pasteurized cheese.  he said it was the same for groceries.  The only place I have encountered unpasteurized cheese is at my farmers market.  

That's not exactly true.  There are unpasteurized cheeses in the grocery store.  It is not illegal to sell unpasteurized cheese, but it is against health code to MAKE it in the US.  Cheese imported to the the US may be unpasteurized.  

At my restaurant we serve a gruyere in almost every item on the menu that is not pasteurized and imported from Switzerland.  It is always heated, though.  We've never gotten anyone sick from it. 

Right. All you need to do is read the label. 

Whole Foods sells a ton of unpasteurized cheeses, so if you do a lot of shopping there, that's definitely a place to make sure you read the labels. I found that even some cheese that isn't soft wasn't pasteurized. 

Scout05

weelass24:

Oh, FFS.

• unpasturised Queso BLANCO = no good
• Queso dip = FINE

 

It's made with Asedero cheese, which is NOT queso blanco.

ETA: Also, if you are eating at a chain, I can guarantee you there is no unpasturized cheese in the place.

I don't understand how this confusion even exists, to be honest.

Thanks, Wee.

 

 

MaiteRam

"Queso" dip= Velveeta.

dishlee101

I am a day late on this post, but I was wondering the saem thing, so this helped a lot, and now I am craving some queso

weelass24

I wonder if Sarah would make this sticky.  LOL