Is unpasteurized apple cider safe to drink? Here's what the FDA says
FILE-A couple drinks apple cider. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Apple cider is one of the popular drinks during fall, but there are a few things to be mindful of before enjoying the beverage.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that unless apple cider has been pasteurized or treated to eliminate harmful bacteria, the cider might be contaminated.
Most juices sold in stores in the U.S. are pasteurized, meaning it is heat-treated, to kill harmful bacteria. But some grocery stores, health food stores, cider mills and farmers markets sell apple cider and packaged juice that has not been pasteurized or treated to ensure its safety.
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According to the FDA, the agency has received reports in the past of unpasteurized cider and fruit juices that have caused foodborne illness, referred to as food poisoning.
Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems can be vulnerable to serious illnesses or even death from drinking unpasteurized apple cider.
How can I tell if apple cider is unpasteurized?
Unpasteurized apple cider and juices that are packaged and sold are required by the FDA to carry a warning label that reads as follows:
"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."
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But the FDA does not require warning labels for cider or juice sold by the glass at places including apple orchards, farmers’ markets, roadside stands, juice bars, and some restaurants. And if you are unsure, it is a good idea to ask if the apple cider is unpasteurized.
Moreover, if you decide to make apple cider at home, the FDA encourages you to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds, cut away any damaged or bruised areas of apples, and dry the fruit with a clean paper towel to wipe off any extra bacteria.