Ogle County Illinois Issues Warning About Unpasteurised Apple Cider
The Ogle County Health Department is warning citizens about the dangers of drinking unpasteurized apple cider, which means the cider hasn’t been heated up to kill the bacteria that can make you sick. Drinking unpasteurized cider can make you sick, with symptoms like diarrhoea, vomiting, and even worse things like kidney failure.
It’s important to know the risks of drinking unpasteurized cider, especially if you’re pregnant, young, or have a weak immune system.
The Risks of Unpasteurized Cider
Local health departments are warning consumers about the health implications of unpasteurised apple cider due to the risk of potential food poisoning.
Illinois’s Ogle County Health Department shared on Facebook with the caption “Apple cider, made from fresh apples, “is typically a bit murky and golden-colored because its unfiltered and unpasteurized. Most apple orchards don’t take the time to pasteurize because it is not required,”
“Apple cider that has NOT been pasteurized can contain harmful bacteria that can make people sick.”
The Fulton County Health Department in Georgia shared a similar message: “Make sure to check labels this fall. it’s required to disclaim if the product has been heat treated or not,” adding that if you always purchase unpasteurized cider from an orchard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends boiling it for at least 1 minute before drinking. This is because many untreated juices or ciders can be seen at some grocery stores, health food stores, cider mills, farmers’ markets, and juice bars.
Prevention and Safety Measures
The US Food And Drug Administration urges consumers to always look at the label and ask if unsure. These packaged products are required to have the following message on the label: “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.”
This label is, however, not required for juice or cider sold by glass common at roadside stands, farmers market, juice bars, and a few restaurants.
