How long is fresh juice safe to drink?

January 4, 2026 •

5 min read

According to the FDA, untreated juice may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness, especially in at-risk individuals. This makes understanding how long is fresh juice safe to drink a critical aspect of home juicing, where refrigeration time, storage methods, and type of juicer used all play a significant role in maintaining safety and freshness.

Quick Summary

Freshly made juice should be consumed quickly due to rapid nutrient degradation and bacterial growth. Refrigerated in an airtight container, it is best within 24-72 hours, depending on the juicer and ingredients. Freezing is an option for longer storage. Always watch for signs of spoilage like off-smells or discoloration.

Key Points

Consume Fresh Juice Quickly: For the best taste and nutritional value, drink homemade juice within 24 to 72 hours of making it, depending on the juicer and ingredients.
Refrigerate Immediately in Airtight Containers: Store juice in sealed glass jars, filled to the top to minimize oxidation, and place them in the back of the fridge where temperatures are most consistent.
Watch for Signs of Spoilage: Discard juice if it develops a sour smell, murky color, fizzy texture, or if the container bulges, as these indicate fermentation or bacterial growth.
Use a Cold-Press Juicer for Longer Life: Masticating or slow juicers produce juice with less oxidation than centrifugal juicers, extending the refrigerated shelf life to the upper end of the 72-hour window.
Freeze for Long-Term Storage: For storage beyond a few days, freeze fresh juice in airtight containers for up to 2-3 months. Leave headspace in the container for expansion.
Always Wash Produce Thoroughly: The FDA emphasizes washing all fruits and vegetables, even those you peel, to prevent harmful surface bacteria from contaminating the juice.
Understand Risks of Untreated Juice: Unpasteurized juice carries a higher risk of bacterial contamination than pasteurized versions, especially for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and pregnant women.

Fresh, homemade juice is a favorite for many health enthusiasts, offering a vibrant and concentrated dose of vitamins and minerals. However, without the preservatives and pasteurization of commercial products, it has a significantly shorter shelf life. The key to enjoying fresh juice safely is understanding and controlling the factors that cause it to spoil, primarily oxidation and bacterial growth.

The Short Lifespan of Fresh Juice

Unlike pasteurized, store-bought juice that can last for weeks or months, fresh, untreated juice is a perishable product. Once fruits and vegetables are juiced, their cell walls are broken, exposing nutrients to heat, light, and, most importantly, oxygen. This process, known as oxidation, is the primary reason for a rapid decline in taste, color, and nutritional content.

Furthermore, the natural sugars and nutrients in the juice create an ideal environment for microorganisms to thrive. While some bacteria are naturally present on produce, improper washing can introduce harmful pathogens like E. coli or Salmonella. Even with clean produce, wild yeasts can cause fermentation over time, leading to a sour or alcoholic taste. The goal of proper storage is to slow these processes down as much as possible.

Factors Affecting Fresh Juice Shelf Life

Several factors influence exactly how long your fresh juice remains at its peak. Understanding these can help you maximize its freshness and safety:

Type of Juice and Acidity (pH): Citrus juices (orange, lemon, grapefruit) generally last longer due to their high acidity, which inhibits bacterial growth. Green juices, especially those with low-acid vegetables like cucumber, have a shorter lifespan.
Type of Juicer: Cold-pressed juices, made with a slow masticating juicer, experience less oxidation during the extraction process than those made with a high-speed centrifugal juicer. This means cold-pressed juice can last longer, typically up to 72 hours, while centrifugal juice is best consumed within 24 hours.
Storage Container: Airtight glass containers are superior for juice storage. Glass is non-reactive and prevents air from entering, which is a major culprit for oxidation. Filling the container to the very top minimizes air exposure.
Temperature: Refrigeration is essential. Storing fresh juice in the main body of the fridge, where temperatures are consistently between 35–40°F (1.6–4.4°C), significantly slows down bacterial growth. Leaving juice at room temperature for even a few hours can promote rapid spoilage.

How to Properly Store Your Fresh Juice

Proper storage is critical to extending the life of your fresh juice and keeping it safe to drink. Following these steps can help maintain flavor and nutrients for as long as possible:

Use High-Quality, Clean Produce: Always start with fresh, thoroughly washed fruits and vegetables. The FDA recommends scrubbing firm produce with a brush under running water to remove any surface dirt and bacteria.
Juice and Store Immediately: The oxidation process begins as soon as the produce is cut. The sooner the juice is stored under proper conditions, the better.
Choose the Right Container: Opt for glass bottles or mason jars with tight-fitting lids. Fill the container to the brim to minimize the amount of oxygen trapped inside.
Refrigerate Immediately: Place the sealed container in the coldest part of your refrigerator immediately after juicing. For best results, consume within 24-72 hours, depending on the ingredients and juicing method.
Use a Natural Preservative: Adding a splash of lemon or lime juice can act as a natural preservative due to its citric acid content, which helps to slow down oxidation. This is particularly helpful for juices made with ingredients that brown quickly, like apples.

Can you freeze fresh juice?

Yes, freezing is an excellent option for long-term storage, effectively halting oxidation and bacterial growth. When freezing, leave some space at the top of your container to allow for expansion. For best quality, consume frozen juice within 2-3 months. Thaw it slowly in the refrigerator before drinking.

Comparison: Homemade Fresh Juice vs. Store-Bought Juice


Feature	Homemade Fresh Juice	Pasteurized Store-Bought Juice
Shelf Life (Refrigerated)	24-72 hours; shorter for centrifugal juicers	1-2 weeks once opened; months if unopened
Preparation	Made at home, often without heat treatment	Heat-treated (pasteurized) or uses High Pressure Processing (HPP)
Nutritional Content	Maximum nutrients, enzymes, and antioxidants	Heat can degrade some nutrients, especially Vitamin C
Preservatives	None, but can use natural additions like lemon	Contains added preservatives to extend shelf life
Food Safety Risk	Higher risk without proper handling; potential for harmful bacteria	Lower risk; pasteurization kills harmful bacteria
Flavor and Texture	Most vibrant, fresh flavor and natural texture	Flavor may be altered by heat; often filtered for uniform texture
Cost	Can be higher due to fresh produce cost	Generally more affordable and convenient

Recognizing the Signs of Spoilage

It is crucial to use your senses to determine if fresh juice has gone bad. If you notice any of these signs, discard the juice immediately:

Off-odor: A sour, alcoholic, or fermenting smell is the most obvious sign of spoilage.
Color Change: Oxidation can cause vibrant colors to turn dull, murky, or brownish.
Separation or Texture: While some natural separation is normal, a chunky, slimy, or excessively thick texture indicates bacterial growth.
Fizziness: Small bubbles or a fizzy texture when stirred or agitated indicates active fermentation.
Bulging Containers: If the container or lid is bulging, it's a clear sign that gases from microbial growth have built up inside.

The Importance of Washing Produce Properly

One of the most critical steps in homemade juice safety is proper produce preparation. Harmful bacteria on the surface of fruits and vegetables can be transferred to the inside during juicing. Thoroughly washing all produce, even those you plan to peel, under running water is vital. Using a vegetable brush on firm produce like cucumbers and melons is also recommended.

Conclusion: Prioritize Freshness and Safety

In conclusion, fresh, untreated juice is best consumed as soon as possible after preparation to enjoy maximum flavor and nutrients. For refrigeration, the safe drinking window is typically 24 to 72 hours, with cold-pressed methods and acidic ingredients offering a slightly longer lifespan. For anything longer, freezing is the safest option. By prioritizing proper produce washing and storage in airtight glass containers, you can minimize the risks of bacterial contamination and oxidation. Always trust your senses—if the juice looks, smells, or tastes off, it's safer to discard it than to risk a foodborne illness. While fresh juice offers great health benefits, following these simple guidelines ensures that your homemade creation is a safe and healthy treat.

Optional Outbound Link

For more detailed food safety guidelines, refer to the FDA's official information on juice safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Freshly squeezed orange juice typically lasts 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator when stored in a sealed, airtight container.

Yes, adding a small amount of lemon juice can help extend the life of fresh juice. The citric acid acts as a natural antioxidant, slowing down the oxidation process and delaying spoilage.

No, you should never leave fresh, untreated juice out at room temperature for more than a few hours. Warm temperatures accelerate bacterial growth and spoilage significantly.

You can tell if homemade juice has gone bad by looking for signs of spoilage, such as a sour or off-smell, a change to a darker or murky color, a slimy or chunky texture, or a fizzy appearance.

In terms of shelf life, cold-pressed juice is generally more stable and can last longer (up to 72 hours) than juice from a centrifugal juicer (best consumed within 24 hours). However, neither is safer than pasteurized juice, and proper storage and sanitation are crucial for both.

The best way to store fresh juice is in an airtight glass container, filled to the brim to reduce oxygen exposure, and kept in the coldest part of your refrigerator.

Freezing is an effective way to preserve most nutrients in fresh juice, though there may be a slight degradation of certain vitamins, such as Vitamin C. It is far better for nutrient retention than allowing the juice to spoil in the fridge.