Watch Out: Unpasteurized Apple Cider Can Make You Sick

Do you love sipping apple cider in the fall? Be careful! Health experts are warning that unpasteurized apple cider can make people very ill, especially those who are more vulnerable like kids and older adults. Why is this happening? Unpasteurized cider might have harmful bacteria because many orchards don’t take the time to pasteurize it, which kills bad stuff. You might be wondering, "What's the big deal with unpasteurized cider?" Well, in 2015, over 100 people got sick after drinking some at a fall festival in Illinois. The cider had a tiny parasite called cryptosporidium that caused bad diarrhea and other nasty symptoms. Cows nearby might have been the source of this parasite.

You should know that most juices sold in the US are pasteurized to keep you safe from harmful bacteria, yeasts, and molds. But packaged unpasteurized juices must warn you with a label saying they might make kids, elderly people, and folks with weak immune systems very sick. Here's a tip: If you’re at an orchard or farmers market and want to be sure, just ask the vendor if their cider is pasteurized. If not, you can pasteurize it at home by heating it up to 70 degrees Celsius for at least one minute. Stay safe and enjoy your cider!

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