Apple cider has become synonymous with the start of fall, but health officials are warning consumers that drinking this comforting beverage is not without risks.
For example, the Ogle County Health Department in Illinois issued a seasonal health advisory warning people about the dangers of unpasteurized apple cider. According to US Food, ingesting apple cider can cause “serious illness and even death.” and drug management.
“Apple cider is a beverage made from fresh apples. It is not filtered or pasteurized, so it is usually slightly cloudy and golden in color,” the department said in a Facebook post. “Most apple orchards don’t take the time to pasteurize because it’s not required.”
According to the FDA, juices and ciders that have not been pasteurized or “heat treated” may contain harmful bacteria from the freshly squeezed or raw fruits and vegetables used in their production. That’s what it means. The bacteria can cause food poisoning.
Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to food poisoning. These people are at risk of “serious illness and even death from drinking unprocessed juice,” the FDA said.
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According to the FDA, most, but not all, juices sold are pasteurized.
The FDA has received reports of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with the consumption of fruit and vegetable juices and cider, but the agency notes that “most juices sold in the United States are pasteurized to kill harmful substances. “It has been subjected to non-heat treatment.” Bacteria. โ
All “unprocessed” juice products must be kept refrigerated and “Warning: This product is not pasteurized and can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.” May contain harmful bacteria.”
However, the FDA does not require warning labels on juices and ciders sold in “glasses,” which are typically found at apple orchards, farmers’ markets, roadside stations, juice bars and some restaurants.
The FDA is encouraging consumers looking to purchase juices and ciders from grocery stores, cider mills and farmers markets this fall to look for warning labels and “when in doubt, ask.”
Anyone who believes they have ingested contaminated juice or cider can report it here.