Why Unpasteurized Apple Cider Can Be a Fall Risk

Ever thought about why some apple cider looks cloudy and golden? That's because it might not be pasteurized. Health departments in places like Ogle County, Illinois, and Fulton County, Georgia, are warning people to be careful. Unpasteurized cider can have harmful bacteria that make you sick. Most orchards don't pasteurize their cider because it's not required by law. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says if you do drink unpasteurized cider, you should boil it for at least a minute to kill any nasty bugs. While most juice sold in the U. S. is pasteurized, you can still find unpasteurized cider at some grocery stores, health food stores, cider mills, and farmers' markets. These places have to put a warning on the label if the cider isn't pasteurized. But if you buy cider by the glass, like at apple orchards or juice bars, there's no law saying they have to warn you. That's why it's important to check the label or ask if you're not sure. Some people are more at risk of getting seriously sick or even dying from drinking unpasteurized juices. These include kids, older adults over 65, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems. So, it's good to be extra careful if you fall into one of these groups.