Ricotta cheese sold in the United States undergoes the pasteurization process before being put on store shelves. It is very rare to find unpasteurized ricotta cheese in the supermarket, although consumers could search online or make requests directly to specialty cheese shops for unpasteurized cheese.
Pasteurization is the process of quickly heating the temperature of milk to destroy active bacteria. In countries other than the United States, many soft cheeses like ricotta or cottage cheese do not undergo the pasteurization process.
Ricotta cheese is high in protein and calcium, and when made from a combination of whole and non-fat milks, is not overly high in fat content. The pasteurization process makes ricotta cheese safe for consumption by pregnant women.