Warning: Apple Cider Could Make You Sick This Fall in Michigan
It’s nearly spooky season, and you know what that means—apple cider, pumpkin spice, and all those cozy, nostalgic flavors of fall are making their grand return.
There's something about this time of year that just wraps you up in a warm, cinnamon-scented hug. Whether you're sipping a hot cider or indulging in a pumpkin spice treat, the flavors of autumn bring a little extra magic to the crisp air.
Health Officials Warn of Apple Cider This Fall
When fruits and veggies are used raw or freshly squeezed, bacteria from them can get into your juice or cider. If it hasn’t been pasteurized or treated to kill those bacteria, it could become contaminated.
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The FDA has gotten reports in the past about foodborne illnesses, often called food poisoning, linked to drinking untreated juices and ciders.
While many people can fend off foodborne illnesses, some groups—like children, seniors, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems—are at higher risk. For these individuals, drinking untreated juices can lead to serious health problems or even death.
Most juice sold in the U.S. is pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria, but some fresh juices from stores, cider mills, and juice bars aren’t treated. These untreated juices must be kept cold and carry a warning label about the risks for children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems.
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However, the FDA doesn’t require warnings for juices sold by the glass at places like farmers’ markets and juice bars.