Is Unpasteurized juice & cider safe during pregnancy?
Choose pasteurized juice and cider in pregnancy. Untreated juice can carry harmful bacteria.
What the sources say
FDA and CDC advise people who are pregnant to avoid unpasteurized (untreated) juice and cider; packaged untreated juice must carry a warning label, but juice sold by the glass at juice bars, orchards and farm stands doesn't need one — so ask. Safer choices: pasteurized or otherwise treated juice, or untreated juice brought to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute (CDC). FDA notes untreated juice poses risks mainly for children, older adults, pregnant people and those with weakened immunity; pasteurized juice is the easy choice while breastfeeding too.
Also listed as
unpasteurized juice, raw juice, fresh-squeezed juice, fresh squeezed orange juice, unpasteurized cider, apple cider farm stand, fresh apple cider, juice bar juice, cold-pressed juice, green juice, farmers market juice
Sources
- FDA: What You Need to Know About Juice Safety
- CDC: Safer Food Choices for Pregnant Women
- FDA: People at Risk of Foodborne Illness
- Mayo Clinic: Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.