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Can babies have unpasteurized juice?

Updated 2026-08-07 · Source: CDC · Free · No sign-up

NOT RECOMMENDED

Avoid

No — unpasteurized juice isn't recommended for babies or young children at all. Not at any age in childhood. Unpasteurized juice may carry harmful bacteria that cause severe diarrhea — and no juice at all before 12 months.

CDC

Emergency? Call 911 now if your baby is choking and cannot cry or cough, is struggling to breathe, or has swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or widespread hives after eating. Do not wait to see whether it settles. This tool is a reference, not medical advice.

Unpasteurized juice by age

AgeCan they have it?How to serve it
4 monthsNot recommended
6 monthsNot recommended
9 monthsNot recommended
12 monthsNot recommended
18 monthsNot recommended
2 yearsNot recommended

Ages are the usual introduction age from the source, not a target. Readiness matters more than the calendar — and a baby who hasn't started solids isn't ready for any of these foods yet.

Is unpasteurized juice a choking hazard?

Unpasteurized juice is not on the AAP or CDC choking-hazard lists. That is not the same as no risk: any food can choke a baby if the piece is too big or the wrong shape. Cut it to no larger than half an inch, keep your baby sitting up in a high chair, keep mealtimes calm, and watch them the whole time they are eating.

Allergies and unpasteurized juice

Unpasteurized juice is not one of the common allergens. Introduce it on its own anyway and wait 3 to 5 days before the next new food, so if your baby does react to something you know what it was.

Watch for diarrhea, rash, vomiting or hives after a new food. Call 911 for trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips or tongue.

Where this comes from

Reviewed 2026-08-07 · confidence: high. This source names unpasteurized juice directly.

This page is general guidance from the AAP and CDC — not medical advice, and not a substitute for your pediatrician. Every baby is different. Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or a baby who cannot cry or cough. How to introduce a new food safely.

Other Hard rules foods parents ask about

If you are working through the Hard rules group, the same serving and allergen questions come up for raw (unpasteurized) milk, foods with added sugar and toddler milk / 'next stage' formula. Each one has its own introduction age and choking guidance — they are not interchangeable.

↥ Check another food →   Browse all foods →

FAQ

Can babies have unpasteurized juice?

No — unpasteurized juice isn't recommended for babies or young children at all. Not at any age in childhood. Unpasteurized juice may carry harmful bacteria that cause severe diarrhea — and no juice at all before 12 months.

How do I serve unpasteurized juice to a baby?

There is no infant serving form for this one — see the answer above.

Is unpasteurized juice a choking hazard for babies?

Unpasteurized juice is not on the AAP or CDC choking-hazard lists, but any food can choke a baby if the piece is too big. Cut it to no larger than half an inch, keep your baby sitting up while they eat, and watch them the whole time.

What should I watch for after giving my baby a new food?

Watch for diarrhea, rash, vomiting or hives after a new food. Offer one single-ingredient new food at a time and wait 3 to 5 days before the next one, so a reaction is easy to trace. The emergency signs are at the top of this page.

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