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.

2 Simple Steps to Juice Safety

When purchasing juice, take these two simple steps 

to protect your children.

1. Always Read the Label 

Look for the warning label to avoid the purchase 

of untreated juices. You can find pasteurized 

or otherwise treated products in your grocersʼ 

refrigerated sections, frozen food cases, or in 

non-refrigerated containers, such as juice boxes, 

bottles, or cans. Untreated juice is most likely to 

be sold in the refrigerated section of a grocery store.

2. When in Doubt, Ask!

Always ask if youʼre unsure if a juice product is if youʼre unsure if a juice product is 

treated, especially for juices sold in refrigerated 

cases of grocery or health food stores, cider mills, 

or farm markets. Also, donʼt hesitate to ask if the 

labeling is unclear or if the juice or cider is sold by 

the glass. 

Warning Labels

Since 1999, the FDA has required juice 

manufacturers to place warning information

on product containers about the health risks of 

drinking untreated juice or cider. Only a small 

portion of all fruit and vegetable juices sold 

in supermarkets is not treated to kill harmful 

bacteria. These products are required to carry 

the following warning label:

You should note that the FDA does not require require 

warning labels for juice or cider that is freshsqueezed and sold by the glass, such as at apple 

orchards, at farm markets, at roadside stands, or 

in some juice bars. If youʼre unsure if a glass of 

juice or cider has been treated, be sure to ask. 

FOODFACTS

From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Safety ■ Health ■ Science ■ Nutrition June 2006

Talking About Juice Safety 

What You Need to Know

1

Juices provide many essential nutrients, but consuming 

untreated juices can pose health risks to your family.

The FDA has received reports of serious outbreaks of 

foodborne illness that have been traced to drinking fruit 

and vegetable juice and cider that has not been treated to 

kill harmful bacteria. 

While most peopleʼs immune systems can usually fight 

off the effects of foodborne illness, children, the elderly, 

and people with weakened immune systems risk serious 

illnesses or even death from drinking untreated juices. 
For more information, visit the FDA Web site at www.cfsan.fda.gov.

FOODFACTS ■ ■ ■ 

Safety ■ Health ■ Science ■ Nutrition June 2006 

JMH Education, New York, NY

2

Consuming dangerous foodborne bacteria will usually cause illness 

within one to three days of eating the contaminated food. However, 

sickness can also occur within 20 minutes or up to six weeks later. 

In addition, sometimes foodborne illness is confused with other types 

of illness. Symptoms of foodborne illness usually include:

• vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain

• flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, and body ache

If you or your children experience these symptoms, see a health care 

professional who can properly diagnose foodborne illness, identify the 

specific bacteria involved, and prescribe the best treatment.

Everyone can practice safe food handling by following these four simple steps:

Foodborne Illness: 

Be Aware of the Symptoms

Did You Know?

When fruits and vegetables are 

fresh-squeezed, bacteria from the 

produce can end up in your juice 

or cider. Unless the produce or the 

juice has been treated to destroy 

any harmful bacteria, the juice 

could be contaminated.

Talking About Juice Safety (cont’d)