Is Fresh Juice Unpasteurized? Separating Fact from Pulp

January 7, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the FDA, untreated juice and cider have been linked to outbreaks of foodborne illness caused by harmful bacteria. This critical fact prompts a vital question for consumers: is fresh juice unpasteurized, and what does that mean for your health? This guide will separate the facts from the assumptions about fresh juice production and safety.

Quick Summary

The pasteurization status of fresh juice depends on its source and processing. While most store-bought juices are pasteurized for safety, those from juice bars, farmers' markets, or homemade batches are often unpasteurized, carrying a higher risk of bacterial contamination. Vulnerable populations, such as young children, pregnant women, and the elderly, should only consume pasteurized products.

Key Points

Source is Key: Whether fresh juice is pasteurized depends on where it is purchased. Juice bars and farmers' markets often sell unpasteurized juice, while most commercial bottles are treated.
Pasteurization Kills Bacteria: The pasteurization process involves heating juice to kill harmful pathogens, making it safer for consumption and extending its shelf life.
Higher Risk in Untreated Juice: Unpasteurized juice carries a greater risk of containing harmful bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella, which can be particularly dangerous for vulnerable individuals.
Reading Labels is Crucial: Commercial unpasteurized juice products are typically required to carry a warning label, but juice sold by the glass may not have one.
Cold-Pressed Isn't Always Safe: Cold-pressed juice is unpasteurized unless treated with High-Pressure Processing (HPP), a non-thermal pasteurization method that improves safety without heat.
Safety Precautions for Homemade Juice: When juicing at home, always wash produce and sanitize equipment thoroughly, as homemade juice is unpasteurized by default.

The simple phrase "fresh juice" can be misleading. While it might evoke images of pure, unprocessed goodness, it doesn't automatically mean the juice is unpasteurized. The truth lies in where you buy it and how it was processed. Understanding the differences between pasteurized and unpasteurized juice is crucial for making informed and safe choices about what you drink.

The Difference Between Pasteurized and Unpasteurized Juice

Pasteurization is a process that involves heating liquids to a specific temperature for a set time to kill harmful microorganisms that can cause foodborne illnesses. Unpasteurized juice, on the other hand, is left untreated, preserving a potentially higher concentration of heat-sensitive nutrients but also harboring a greater risk of contamination.

What is pasteurized juice?

Heat Treatment: Most juice sold in cans, bottles, or boxes on grocery store shelves has been pasteurized. This process is required for a longer shelf life and ensures product safety by eliminating harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria.
Flash Pasteurization: A common method is High-Temperature Short-Time (HTST) pasteurization, or flash pasteurization, which heats the juice for a very brief period. This minimizes the impact on flavor and nutritional content.
Types: This includes juice from concentrate, which is pasteurized after reconstitution, and "not from concentrate" (NFC) juice, which is pasteurized at the source.

What is unpasteurized juice?

No Heat Treatment: Also known as raw or cold-pressed juice, this juice is freshly squeezed and has not been heated. It is valued for its fresher taste and theoretically higher nutrient content, as delicate enzymes and vitamins are not affected by heat.
Locations: You can find unpasteurized juice at juice bars, farmers' markets, roadside stands, and in the refrigerated section of some health food stores. Juices sold by the glass often go untreated.
Higher Risk: The lack of heat treatment means these products carry a higher risk of containing dangerous bacteria. The bacteria can transfer from the fruit's surface or during the juicing process.
Warning Labels: In many places, commercially bottled unpasteurized juice must carry a warning label advising vulnerable populations to avoid it. However, this label is not required for juice sold by the glass.

Is Cold-Pressed Juice Safe if it's Unpasteurized?

Cold-pressed juice is a type of unpasteurized juice made without the heat from centrifugal juicers, which proponents believe preserves more nutrients. However, the "cold" in cold-pressed refers to the extraction method, not the treatment for bacteria. Unless it undergoes a subsequent process like High-Pressure Processing (HPP), it is still unpasteurized and carries the same bacterial risk. HPP uses intense pressure in a cold environment to destroy pathogens, offering a pasteurized product with many of the flavor and nutritional benefits of raw juice.

A comparison of pasteurized and unpasteurized juice


Feature	Pasteurized Juice	Unpasteurized Juice
Processing	Heated to kill bacteria.	Not heated; raw and untreated.
Safety	Safer for consumption due to elimination of pathogens.	Higher risk of bacterial contamination.
Shelf Life	Longer, often weeks or months.	Shorter, typically only a few days and must be refrigerated.
Flavor	May have a slightly altered or muted flavor.	Fresher, more vibrant, and natural taste.
Nutrients	Minimal loss of some heat-sensitive nutrients.	Retains more heat-sensitive vitamins and enzymes.
Availability	Widely available in supermarkets, refrigerated and unrefrigerated.	Found at juice bars, farmers' markets, or specialized retailers, usually refrigerated.

Making Your Own Juice: Unpasteurized by Default

When you make fresh juice at home, you are creating an unpasteurized product. While you can control the cleanliness of your ingredients and equipment, a risk of foodborne illness still exists. To minimize this risk, always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and ensure all equipment is sanitized. For at-risk individuals, heating the juice to a rolling boil for at least one minute is the safest option.

Conclusion: Navigating Your Juice Choices

To answer the question, "is fresh juice unpasteurized?", the answer is: it depends. Juice sold by the glass or directly from a local stand is very likely untreated, while most commercially bottled juice is pasteurized for safety. Consumers must weigh the benefits of a fresher taste and potentially higher nutrient profile against the increased risk of bacterial illness, especially if they are part of a vulnerable group. By understanding the sourcing and processing, you can confidently choose the safest and most delicious option for your needs.

Note: This article provides general information. Always consult with a healthcare provider regarding dietary choices, especially for at-risk individuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all fresh juice is unpasteurized. While fresh-squeezed juice from local juice bars or farmers' markets is typically untreated, most commercially bottled juices found in supermarkets are pasteurized for safety and a longer shelf life.

The primary risk is a potential foodborne illness caused by harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can contaminate raw produce and survive in unpasteurized juice.

Yes, you can make fresh juice at home safely by thoroughly washing all produce, sanitizing your equipment, and consuming the juice promptly after preparation. For maximum safety, especially for at-risk individuals, consider boiling the juice for at least one minute.

Look for a warning label that says, 'This product has not been pasteurized...' on commercially bottled juices. If buying from a juice bar or market, assume it's unpasteurized unless told otherwise. Unpasteurized juice is also typically sold refrigerated and has a short shelf life.

No, pasteurization does not destroy all nutrients. While it can cause a minimal loss of some heat-sensitive vitamins like Vitamin C, most of the nutritional value remains intact.

No. While the cold-pressed method itself doesn't involve heat, the final product can be pasteurized using High-Pressure Processing (HPP) to kill bacteria, creating a safer product that retains many nutritional benefits.

Vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, should avoid unpasteurized juice due to the higher risk of severe illness from bacterial contamination.