Food and Drug Administration Juice Warning Statement

b Final Rule -  Published July 8, FR  Effective Date –September 8, 1998 for Apple juice/cider –November 5, 1998 for all other juices

Juice Warning Statement b Final Rule -  Requires that fruit and vegetable juice products that have not been pasteurized or otherwise processed to achieve a 5-log reduction bear a warning statement.

Juice Warning Statement  “ Juice” means -  The aqueous liquid expressed or extracted from one or more fruits or vegetables  A puree of the edible portions of the fruit or vegetable that is used as a beverage  Any concentrate of such liquids or purees

Juice Warning Statement b What products must bear the warning statement?  Any juice or beverage containing juice that has not been processed to achieve at least a 5-log reduction in the pertinent microorganism for the shelf life of the product when stored under normal and moderate abuse conditions.

Juice Warning Statement b 5-log Reduction -  Reduces the number of microorganisms by 100,000-fold  Can be accomplished by a single control measure such as pasteurization  Can be accomplished by a combination of control measures that have a cumulative effect of 100,000-fold reduction

Juice Warning Statement b Control Measures  Discarding blemished, bruised or broken fruit/vegetable  Culling and washing fruit/vegetable  Pasteurization  UV light  Ultra High Pressure  Electromagnetic Pulse

Juice Warning Statement b Pertinent Microorganism  Most resistant foodborne illness-causing bacteria that is reasonably likely to occur in the particular juice  Examples –E. coli 0157:H7 –L. monocytogenes

Juice Warning Statement b What products are exempt from the warning statement?  Untreated juice products sold in retail stores, intended for immediate consumption, and that are not pre-packaged - e.g., products sold by the glass in restaurants e.g., products sold by the glass in restaurants

Juice Warning Statement b Juice ingredients that are to be used solely in the manufacturer of other foods, relabeled, or repackaged before sale to retail consumers need not bear the warning statement on the product label provided the information is disclosed in documents accompanying the product, e.g., invoices, bills of lading.

Juice Warning Statement b Label Statement - WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and, therefore, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and, therefore, may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.

Juice Warning Statement b Placement and Prominence of Warning Statement on the Label -  Information panel or  Principal display panel  Set of in a box with the use of hairlines  In type size no less than one-sixteenth inch  “WARNING” in bold capital letters

Juice Warning Statement b Placement and Prominence of Warning Statement in Labeling -  On sign, placard, counter card, etc. at point where juice product is displayed  In type size no less than one-fourth inch

Juice Warning Statement b The Warning Statement may appear in labeling until -  September 8, 1999 for Apple juice/cider  November 5, 1999 for all other juices

Juice Warning Statement b Who is responsible for providing the signs, placards, or counter cards?  The manufacturer or distributor is responsible for producing the label  The retailer is responsible for displaying the label