Unpasteurized (raw) juice should be avoided during pregnancy per FDA guidelines. Raw juice can contain E. coli, Salmonella, and Cryptosporidium — bacteria that survive in fresh-squeezed juice and pose elevated risk during pregnancy's immune-suppressed state.
Key Takeaway: FDA recommends avoiding unpasteurized juice during pregnancy. This includes fresh-squeezed juice from juice bars, farmers markets, and roadside stands unless they specifically pasteurize. Store-bought juice labeled "pasteurized" is considered safe. If the label says "unpasteurized" or "raw" or doesn't specify — avoid it.
| Type | Safe? |
|---|---|
| Store-bought pasteurized juice | ✅ Yes |
| Fresh-squeezed at home (drink immediately) | ⚠️ Lower risk if consumed immediately |
| Juice bar / fresh-squeezed (unknown pasteurization) | ❌ Avoid |
| Cold-pressed raw juice (bottled) | ❌ Avoid unless labeled pasteurized |
| Farmers market juice | ❌ Avoid unless confirmed pasteurized |
Note: If you want fresh juice, squeeze it at home from washed fruit and drink immediately. Home juicing eliminates the storage time that allows bacterial multiplication. The FDA concern is primarily with commercially produced raw juice that sits in bottles or dispensers.
Bottom Line: Avoid unpasteurized juice during pregnancy per FDA. Drink pasteurized store-bought juice, or squeeze your own at home and drink immediately.