Recent outbreaks of E. coli and salmonella in the U.S. and Ontario has prompted the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control and the B.C. provincial health officer to remind people to make sure their fruit juices are properly pasteurized.
During an apple harvest there is often an increase in salmonella and E.coli related to unpasteurized juices.
Although most unpasteurized juice is safe, it is usually best to boil unpasteurized juices for at least one minute to make sure that the risks of contamination are guaranteed.
In addition, the BCCDC recommends:
• Avoid serving unpasteurized juice to young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
• Pay attention to that best-before date, and keep juice refrigerated.
• Don’t rely on freezing to make unpasteurized juices safe.