Whether you want to use make use of the apples that grow on your tree at home or source specific cider apples from other growers, the pressing process is fairly straightforward. This will allow you to blend a cider to your preference and experiment with flavors. The biggest benefit of pressing your own apples is that you know exactly what kinds of apples have been juiced. Contact the Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your area.Although pressing cider at home is labor intensive, the results are rewarding.Also, report the suspected foodborne illness to FDA in either of these ways: If you think that you or a family member has a foodborne illness, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, and body ache.The symptoms of foodborne illness can include: Although most people will recover from a foodborne illness within a short period of time, some can develop chronic, severe, or even life-threatening health problems.įoodborne illness can sometimes be confused with other illnesses that have similar symptoms. However, sickness can also occur within 20 minutes or up to 6 weeks later. After washing, dry produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel to further reduce bacteria that may be present on the surface.Ībout Foodborne Illness Know the SymptomsĬonsuming dangerous foodborne bacteria will usually cause illness within 1 to 3 days of eating the contaminated food.Even if you plan to peel the produce before juicing it, wash it first so dirt and bacteria are not transferred from the surface when peeling or cutting into it.

Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.

Washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent, or commercial produce wash is not recommended.

Wash all produce thoroughly under running water before cutting or cooking, including produce grown at home or bought from a grocery store or farmers’ market.

Throw away any produce that looks rotten.

Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water before and after preparation.

Also, don’t hesitate to ask if the labeling is unclear or if the juice or cider is sold by the glass.

Ask if you are unsure if a juice product is treated, especially for juices sold in refrigerated cases in grocery or health food stores, cider mills, or farmers’ markets.

Untreated juice is most likely to be sold in the refrigerated section of a grocery store. You can find pasteurized or otherwise treated products in your grocers’ refrigerated sections, frozen food cases, or in non-refrigerated containers, such as juice boxes, bottles, or cans.

Look for the warning label to avoid the purchase of untreated juices.

However, FDA does not require warning labels for juice or cider that is sold by the glass – for example, at apple orchards, farmers’ markets, roadside stands, juice bars, and some restaurants.įollow These Simple Steps to Prevent Illness When Purchasing Juice WARNING: 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. These untreated products should be kept under refrigeration and are required to carry the following warning on the label: However, some grocery stores, health food stores, cider mills, farmers’ markets, and juice bars sell packaged juice that was made on site that has not been pasteurized or otherwise treated to ensure its safety. Juice products may also be treated by non-heat processes for the same purpose. Most of the juice sold in the United States is pasteurized (heat-treated) to kill harmful bacteria.

While most people’s immune systems can usually fight off the effects of foodborne illness, children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems (such as transplant patients and individuals with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or diabetes) risk serious illnesses or even death from drinking untreated juices. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received in the past, reports of outbreaks of foodborne illness, often called “food poisoning,” that have been traced to drinking fruit and vegetable juice and cider that has not been treated to kill harmful bacteria. Unless the produce or the juice has been pasteurized or otherwise treated to destroy any harmful bacteria, the juice could be contaminated. When fruits and vegetables are fresh-squeezed or used raw, bacteria from the produce can end up in your juice or cider.

Pasteurized apple juice brands