The Topeka Capital-Journal has reminded its readers that children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems shouldn’t be served unpasteurized apple juice or other unpasteurized products, such as apple cider.

As with raw milk, there are many people who seek unpasteurized juice and cider on the misguided belief that the more natural the food, the better — tastier, healthier, and safer.

However, due to outbreaks of salmonellosis, E. coli, cryptosporidiosis, cholera and other serious illnesses from unpasteurized juices and apple cider, the FDA requires that virtually all fruit and vegetable juice producers follow HACCP controls using technologies such as heat pasteurization or UV treatment. All apple cider sold in the US, other than sales directly to consumers by producers, must be produced using HACCP principles to achieve a 5-log reduction in pathogens.

So, if you happen to come along a roadside stand, or a shack with a fridge full of unpasteurized apple cider while touring country roads and enjoying fall’s splendor, don’t be tempted. It doesn’t matter how much you like the person selling the product, be informed that consumption (without boiling) carries a risk of foodborne illness. And please, avoid serving unpasteurized products to those most at risk — your children.