The Food and Drug Administration today reminded consumers of the dangers associated with drinking unpasteurized fruit and vegetable juices. This warning follows reports that the New York State Departments’ of Health and Agriculture and Markets, and local health departments in northern New York are investigating a recent foodborne disease outbreak possibly linked to the consumption of unpasteurized apple cider.
Under FDA regulations, most juice processors are required to use Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles to increase the protection of consumers from illness-causing microbes and other hazards in juices. But not all juice that consumers purchase comes from a facility for which HACCP is required.
In light of this outbreak, FDA would like to remind consumers that there are health risks associated with drinking juice or cider that has not been treated in any way to kill harmful bacteria. Such products may be sold in bottles or by the glass in supermarkets, at farmers markets, at roadside stands, or in some juice bars. Untreated products that are sold in bottles are generally displayed on ice or in refrigerated cases and are required to carry the following warning statement on their label:
WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and therefore, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
Untreated products that are fresh squeezed and sold by the glass are not required to carry the warning label statement.
FDA advises consumers that, when in doubt, look for this warning statement on bottled juice and ask if fresh squeezed juice has been treated in a way to kill bacteria.
Consumers who do not wish to risk illness from consumption of raw juices should not drink unpasteurized juices. If you cannot determine if a juice has been processed to destroy harmful bacteria, either don’t drink it or bring it to a boil in an open container to kill any harmful bacteria that may be present.