CDC Says Adults 65 and Older Should Avoid This Type of Juice and Cider

What’s in your glass is as important as what’s on your plate. At Cooking Office, we believe that drinks deserve the same attention as food. If you’re aged 65 or older, or you regularly buy drinks for somebody who is, the CDC says you should avoid juice and cider that are unpasteurized. 

Why Is Unpasteurized Juice Risky?

Most juice available for sale in the United States is pasteurized. This means it has been heated to kill harmful bacteria. But according to the FDA, some juice and cider products skip this process. When fruits or vegetables are used raw, bacteria from that produce might find their way into your juice without you knowing about it.

The FDA has traced outbreaks of foodborne illness to untreated juice and cider. Most healthy adults can fight off these bacteria. But the FDA warns that older adults, pregnant women, children, and people with weak immune systems can face serious illnesses or death if they drink untreated juice.

The CDC says that adults who are 65 years or older are more likely to get ill from bacteria like E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. Almost half of older adults with foodborne illness caused by any of these germs end up in the hospital.

Where You Might Run Into It

The FDA says you’d find unpasteurized juice in certain grocery stores, farmers markets, cider mills, and juice bars. It’s made fresh on-site and skip the heating step. 

But the bigger risk is juice sold by the glass, where no label is required. If you get this at a cider mill, juice bar or farmers market, just ask if their contents have been pasteurized. 

Protecting Yourself From Unpasteurized Juice and Cider

One way to protect yourself is to drink pasteurized juice and cider. You can know for sure by checking the label before you buy. 

If the label says pasteurized, it’s safe to drink. Some juices are treated another way, such as UV light or high-pressure processing. And if they were, the label will say so.

If you purchase unpasteurized juice or cider, the CDC says you can boil it for at least one minute to kill the harmful bacteria.

That said, if you’re handling produce at home, make sure you wash your hands. Also rinse fruits and vegetables under clean running water. If you find a damaged spot in any produce, cut it away before juicing. 

FAQs

Is all freshly squeezed juice unpasteurized?

Not always. However, most juice squeezed on-site hasn’t gone through any treatment. If you don’t find a label highlighting its pasteurized or unpasteurized status, ask the seller before buying.

Can you tell if a juice is unpasteurized by just tasting it?

You can’t. Unpasteurized juice looks and tastes the same as pasteurized juice. To be certain, check its label.

What germs can hide in unpasteurized juice?

1. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria are among the most common germs in unpasteurized juice. These germs can lead to serious illness in older adults and persons with weak immune systems.