How to Ensure Your Apple Cider Is Safe to Drink: Tips to Avoid Food Poisoning This Fall

Apple Cider Is Safe to Drink

Stay Safe This Fall: How to Choose Safe Apple Cider

Apple cider is a beloved fall favorite, but before you pour yourself a glass, health experts urge you to take a moment to check for safety. Seasonal advisories from health departments, based on U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, highlight the importance of avoiding unpasteurized juices that can lead to food poisoning.

The Risks of Unpasteurized Cider

Unpasteurized cider can harbor harmful bacteria, including salmonella, E. coli, and Cryptosporidium. These pathogens can contaminate fresh apples, posing serious health risks, especially to vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of foodborne illness typically arise within one to three days and can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and body aches.

Is Most Apple Cider Pasteurized?

Fortunately, most apple juice sold in the U.S. is pasteurized, so products at your local grocery store are generally safe. Pasteurized options include juice made from concentrate and cider found in cans, bottles, and juice boxes. However, be cautious at health food stores, cider mills, farmers’ markets, and juice bars, where fresh, unpasteurized juices may be available, often in the refrigerated section.

How to Identify Unpasteurized Cider

If you’re purchasing packaged cider, look for a warning label mandated by the FDA that states: “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.” Also, pay attention to the "best before" date and discard any expired products.

For cider sold by the glass at orchards or markets, there may not be a label present. In such cases, it’s wise to ask whether the cider is pasteurized.

Making Cider at Home

If you’re planning to make your own cider after a day of apple picking, the FDA recommends washing your hands thoroughly and removing any damaged parts of the apples. Rinse all apples under running water and dry them with a clean cloth or paper towel to eliminate potential bacteria.

Keep in mind that fresh-squeezed juices should be avoided by pregnant individuals and young children.

By following these guidelines, you can enjoy your apple cider this fall without worry!