Pregnancy food checker · United States

Can I drink unpasteurized juice while pregnant?

Juice can look healthy, but pasteurization matters during pregnancy.

Short answer

Avoid unpasteurized juice during pregnancy. Choose pasteurized juice or freshly washed whole fruit instead.

Safety note Avoid unpasteurized

What matters for unpasteurized juice

  • Unpasteurized juice can carry harmful bacteria.
  • Farm stand and fresh-pressed juices may be unpasteurized.
  • Labels may be easy to miss.

Guidance sources: FDA [1], FDA [2]

What to check first

  • Does the label say pasteurized?
  • Is it fresh-pressed at a market or juice bar?
  • Was fruit washed and handled safely?

Guidance sources: FDA [1], FDA [2]

Safer next steps

  • Choose pasteurized bottled juice.
  • Eat whole fruit.
  • Ask juice bars about pasteurization before ordering.

Guidance sources: FDA [1], FDA [2]

What Can I Eat can and cannot confirm

Can I Eat can use the food name, visible label text and details you provide to highlight relevant questions. A photo cannot confirm internal cooking temperature, storage time, hidden ingredients, pasteurization that is not shown, or restaurant handling. Check the complete label and ask the person who prepared the food when those details matter.

When to contact a clinician

Contact your prenatal clinician if you ate a food discussed here and feel unwell, have been told you have a higher-risk pregnancy, or need advice for your individual circumstances. Seek urgent medical care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.

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Related pregnancy food questions

Can I eat leftovers while pregnant?Can I eat sushi while pregnant?Can I eat deli meat while pregnant?

Sources and editorial context

Can I Eat editors source-check these pages against public guidance from U.S. health authorities, keep conditional answers conditional, and identify details that still need to be checked for a specific food. This editorial process is not an individual clinician review or endorsement, and the content is general information rather than individualized medical advice.

Published by Can I Eat for readers in United States. Sources last checked 2026-08-15.

FDAFood Safety for Pregnant Women, Their Unborn Babies, and Children Under FiveFDASafe Eats: Food Safety for Moms-to-Be

Can I Eat provides general food safety information and dietary risk reminders only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or a replacement for your clinician.