outbreaks
Is Unpasteurized Juice Safe to Drink?
Fresh-pressed and cold-pressed juices that haven't been pasteurized carry a real risk of contamination from E. coli, Salmonella, and Cryptosporidium. The FDA requires warning labels on unpasteurized juice — but many consumers don't notice them or understand the risk.
Why unpasteurized juice is higher risk
Fresh produce used in juice can be contaminated with pathogens from soil, water, animals, or handling. Pasteurization kills these pathogens; cold-pressing does not. The 1996 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to unpasteurized apple juice caused 71 illnesses, 31 hospitalizations, and one death — leading to new FDA labeling requirements for unpasteurized juice products.
Who should avoid unpasteurized juice
The FDA specifically recommends that children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people avoid unpasteurized juice entirely. Juice bars, farmers markets, and cold-pressed juice brands frequently sell unpasteurized products. The warning label is required by law but is easy to miss.
Juice recalls and safety advisories
Panko Alerts monitors FDA recalls and advisories involving juice products, including those related to pathogen contamination, undeclared allergens, and improper labeling of pasteurization status. Recalls on widely distributed juice products are flagged as high priority.
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