NFPA submitted comments in response to FDA's recently proposed rule on labeling of juice products. The proposed regulationswhile stating that most juice products are currently pasteurized or otherwise treated to kill disease-causing organismsdo not require pasteurization or heat treatment for all juices, as NFPA has urged. The proposed rule would require juice manufacturers to implement hazard control programs, and would require warning labels on unpasteurized products, to alert consumers that unpasteurized juices can contain bacteria that pose a special risk to certain individuals, particularly children and older Americans. Frozen concentrated juices also are produced from ingredients that have been heat processed. And many refrigerated juices also have been pasteurized.
Consumers can check with the retailer or manufacturer if they have questions.
Dr. Douglas Powell dept.