COLD-PRESSED JUICE SOUNDS HEALTHY – BUT IS IT PREGNANCY-SAFE?
Fresh juice feels like a healthy win during pregnancy – but if it's unpasteurized, it could carry more risk than you bargained for. Here's what to know before you sip.
Key Takeaways
- Unpasteurized juice has a higher risk of carrying bacteria that can cause food poisoning, which is especially risky for pregnant women.
- Most juice sold in stores in the U.S. is pasteurized, but always check the label before buying.
- If you're making juice at home, thoroughly rinse the fruit before juicing it,
What is unpasteurized juice?
Unpasteurized juice – sometimes labeled "raw" or "cold-pressed" – hasn't been heat-treated to kill harmful bacteria. That's what makes it risky during pregnancy.
The good news? About 98% of juice sold in the United States is pasteurized. So if you're grabbing a bottle at the grocery store, it's almost always safe. Still, some stores do carry unpasteurized juice in refrigerated sections, so check the label just in case.
Packaged raw juice has to carry a warning label that says it may contain harmful bacteria and could be dangerous for kids, older adults, and anyone with a weakened immune system – including pregnant women.
But here's the tricky part: Fresh-squeezed juice from restaurants, juice bars, farmers markets, or roadside stands doesn't always come with a label. If you're not sure, it's totally okay to ask. And if it is unpasteurized, the only way to make it safe is to bring it to a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking.
Why isn't unpasteurized juice safe during pregnancy?
It's not safe to drink unpasteurized juice while you're pregnant, because it may contain harmful bacteria from the raw fruits and vegetables used to make the juice. These bacteria can cause food poisoning (illnesses such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis), which can be especially dangerous during pregnancy.
"My husband and son have both gotten food poisoning from fresh juice," shares BabyCenter Community member HollyM2274. "That reminds me why I wash fruit."
Not sure what's safe to eat now that you're pregnant? The "Is It Safe?" tool on the BabyCenter app gives you quick, clear answers – no endless Googling required.
How to safely make juice at home
Fresh-squeezed juice can be a great way to get nutrients, as long as you're prepping it safely.
Start by rinsing all your fruits and veggies under running water, even the ones you plan to peel. (Yes, that includes citrus and melons – bacteria on the outside can sneak in when you slice them.) No soap needed, but if the produce has a thick peel, give it a scrub with a veggie brush.
And if anything looks bruised or damaged, just cut around it – those spots are more likely to harbor bacteria.
Is juice healthy during pregnancy?
Juice can be a healthy option to get nutrients you need while pregnant. Orange juice is a good source of vitamin C and calcium, and prune juice provides potassium and iron. Talk with your healthcare provider about how you can incorporate juice into a healthy diet.
"With food rules, it's often judging the amount of risk you're comfortable with and deciding from there," says BabyCenter Community member Toofers5. "Your doctor can be a good guide to check in with."
Juice can be part of a healthy pregnancy – it just takes a little extra label-checking (and maybe some scrubbing). When in doubt, go pasteurized, and know you're making a simple choice that helps keep you and your baby safer.
2026-01-15T10:02:37Z