ARIZONA COOP E R AT I V E
E TENSION
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
AZ1087
Revised 10/08
Unpasteurized Cider and Juice
Most of the juices sold in the United States are processed
(for example, “pasteurized”) to kill harmful bacteria.
However, when fruits and vegetables are fresh squeezed
and left untreated, harmful bacteria from the inside or the
outside of the produce can become a part of the finished
product. Even though sickness due to unpasteurized juice
is rare, high risk groups, including people with weakened
immune systems, children and older adults should only
consume pasteurized juices. The symptoms commonly
associated with food poisoning in these individuals include
diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping, vomiting, fever and
headache. If you should have any of these symptoms,
contact your physician immediately.
If you or someone in your family is in a high-risk group
and you cannot determine if a juice product has been
processed to destroy harmful bacteria, either don’t drink it
or bring it to a boil to kill any harmful bacteria that might
be present.
Here are some ways you can make sure the juice you
drink is safe:
US. Food and Drug Administration. Safe Handling of
Raw Produce and Fresh Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable
Juices. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html
November 2005
• Some grocery stores, health food stores, cider mills and
farmer’s markets sell packages and containers of juice
that were made on site and have not been pasteurized
or otherwise treated to kill harmful bacteria. These
untreated products should be kept in the refrigeration
section of the store, or on ice, and must have the
following warning on the 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.
• Juices that are fresh squeezed and sold by the glass,
such as at farmer’s markets, roadside stands, or in
some restaurants or juice bars may not be pasteurized
or otherwise treated to ensure safety. Warning labels
are not required for these products.
Parents of children in day-care centers and schools
that serve cider and juice should ask if the products are
pasteurized. Children on field trips to apple cider mills or
farmer’s markets should not drink unpasteurized cider.
References
Larson Duyff-Roberta, MS, RD, CFCS. The American
Dietetic Association’s Complete Food and Nutrition
Guide, 3rd zed. Wiley and Sons Inc. Publishing, 2006.
USDA 2001. What Consumers need to Know About Juice
Safety. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/juicesafe.html
Material originally written by Mary Abgrall and Scottie
Misner, May 1998. Revised by Scottie Misner and Carol
Curtis, October 2008.
Any products, services, or organizations that are
mentioned, shown, or indirectly implied in this publication
do not imply endorsement by The University of Arizona.
ARIZONA COOP E R AT I V E
E TENSION
THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND LIFE SCIENCES
The University of Arizona
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Tucson, Arizona 85721
Scottie Misner, Ph.D., R.D.
Associate Nutrition Specialist
Contact:
Scottie Misner
misner@ag.arizona.edu
This information has been reviewed by university faculty.
cals.arizona.edu/pubs/health/az1087.pdf
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities.