Dangers of Unpasteurized Apple Cider: How to Stay Safe
Every year, around 128,000 people are hospitalized and 3,000 die from preventable foodborne illnesses. Among the risky foods is unpasteurized apple cider, which can pose serious health threats to certain demographics. Here’s what you need to know to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this fall.
Health Hazards of Unpasteurized Apple Cider
For many people, apple cider has become a symbol of the autumn season. However, health officials are cautioning consumers about the potential risks associated with drinking unpasteurized apple cider. The Ogle County Health Department in Illinois recently issued a health advisory regarding this issue, warning that consuming unpasteurized apple cider could lead to severe illness or even death.
What Makes Unpasteurized Apple Cider Unsafe?
Unfiltered and unpasteurized apple cider has a murky appearance due to the lack of heat treatment during production. As a result, it may contain harmful bacteria from the fresh apples used in its making process. This bacterium presents an increased risk for foodborne illness among certain groups such as children, older adults, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems.
– What fall treats could pose serious health risks, according to the FDA?
Beware: Fall Treats Could Pose Serious Health Risks, Warns FDA
As the days get shorter and the temperatures start to drop, many of us look forward to indulging in the delicious fall treats that come with the season. From pumpkin spice lattes to caramel apples, there’s no shortage of tempting treats to satisfy our autumn cravings. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to be cautious when enjoying these seasonal delights, as some of them could pose serious health risks if not handled and consumed properly.
The FDA is particularly concerned about the safety of certain fall treats due to the potential for foodborne illnesses and allergic reactions. According to the agency, the following treats are of particular concern:
Caramel Apples: While these sweet and crunchy treats are a staple of fall festivals and gatherings, they have been linked to several outbreaks of foodborne illness in recent years. The combination of a sticky caramel coating and a whole apple can provide an ideal environment for bacteria to grow if not properly handled and stored.Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Other Beverages: Warm, comforting, and full of seasonal flavors, fall beverages like pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider are beloved by many. However, if not prepared and stored safely, they can become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria and pose a risk of foodborne illness.Homemade Baked Goods: From apple pies to pumpkin bread, homemade baked goods are a beloved part of fall tradition. However, if not prepared with proper hygiene and food safety measures in mind, they can lead to foodborne illness, particularly if they contain ingredients such as raw eggs or unpasteurized dairy products.
To ensure that you and your loved ones can enjoy fall treats without putting your health at risk, it’s important to take certain precautions. The FDA recommends the following tips for safely enjoying fall treats:
Wash Your Hands: Before handling any food, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria.Store Treats Properly: Keep perishable treats like caramel apples and baked goods in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth. If they have been left out at room temperature for more than two hours, it’s best to discard them to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.Use Safe Ingredients: When preparing homemade treats, be sure to use safe ingredients, such as pasteurized eggs and dairy products, to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.Be Allergy-Aware: If you or
Regulation and Safety Labels
Although many juice products available for purchase have undergone pasteurization or non-heat processes that eliminate harmful bacteria, not all consumers may be aware of whether their fresh juice or cider is safe for consumption. Products lacking pasteurization should come with refrigeration instructions and a warning label highlighting potential hazards for vulnerable populations.
Unfortunately, FDA regulations do not require warning labels on individual servings sold at venues like apple orchards or farmers’ markets where fresh juice may be sold without clear information regarding safety standards.
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
For those planning to buy juice or cider this fall from various sources including grocery stores or farmers’ markets it’s crucial they check for appropriate warning labels before purchasing any product in doubt. When in doubt about the safety status of any fruit or vegetable juices purchased you’re welcome report it directly on-line here (replace ‘report it here’ hyperlink).
By exercising caution when selecting apple cider products this season we can mitigate the risk of foodborne illnesses linked to contaminated juices while preserving our favorite fall tradition safely.
The post Beware: Fall Treats Could Pose Serious Health Risks, Warns FDA first appeared on USA NEWS.
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Author : Jean-Pierre CHALLOT
Publish date : 2024-10-04 00:02:36
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