Can you drink grape juice while pregnant?
Check firstYes, if the juice is pasteurized. Every shelf stable carton, bottle and frozen concentrate at the grocery store is treated, so the risk sits only with fresh pressed juice from a juice bar, farm stand or cider mill.
Why
Untreated juice can carry E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria, because pressing grapes does not kill anything that was on the skins, and the FDA singles out pregnancy as one of the times to drink only pasteurized or otherwise treated juice. Pasteurization and high pressure processing both handle this, and essentially all bottled and boxed grape juice sold in the US, Welch's included, has been through one of them. Untreated juice is required to carry an FDA warning label, so a bottle without that label and with a normal shelf life has been treated. Fresh pressed juice sold cold at a juice bar, a farmers market or a cider mill is the one to turn down unless the staff can tell you it was pasteurized.
Safer alternatives
- Welch's 100% grape juice from the shelf or the freezer aisle
- Welch's or Martinelli's sparkling grape juice for a toast
- any bottle labeled pasteurized or made from concentrate
- whole grapes blended with water and ice at home
Sources
- FDA https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/what-you-need-know-about-juice-safety
- FDA https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/fruits-veggies-and-juices-food-safety-moms-be
Every verdict follows our sourcing methodology: official health guidelines only, most cautious position when they differ.
Last reviewed by the pregAI editorial team.
Frequently asked questions
Is Welch's grape juice pasteurized?
Yes. Welch's bottles, cartons and frozen concentrates are all pasteurized, which is why they sit on a shelf rather than in the cold case. Sparkling grape juice is treated the same way.
How do I tell if a juice is unpasteurized?
Untreated juice sold in the US has to carry an FDA warning label saying it has not been pasteurized. If there is no warning label, or the juice is shelf stable, it has been treated. Fresh pressed juice served in a cup at a juice bar or farm stand does not need a label, so ask.
Can I drink fresh pressed grape juice from a juice bar?
Only if they confirm it was pasteurized or high pressure processed. Juice pressed to order and handed straight to you has had nothing done to kill E. coli or Salmonella. Order a bottled juice from their cooler instead and check the label.
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