Unpasteurized apple cider can make you sick. Here's what you should know before enjoying the fall favorite.

Cider is a fall favorite, but in some cases can make you sick if you're not careful. The local health department is warning consumers to be careful if their cider is poisoned unpasteurized because of the risk of possible foodborne illness.

Cider made from fresh apples “is typically somewhat cloudy and golden in color because it is unfiltered and unpasteurized. Most apple orchards do not take the time to pasteurize because it is not necessary,” the Ogle County Health Department in Illinois shared on social media. “Apple cider that has NOT been pasteurized may contain harmful bacteria that can make people sick.”

The Fulton County Health Department in Georgia shared similar news. “This fall, be sure to check labels – it is necessary to exclude whether or not the product has been heat treated,” the department wrote, adding that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends boiling the cider if Do not buy unpasteurized cider from an orchard for at least 1 minute before drinking.

While most juices sold in the United States are pasteurized or heat treated kill harmful bacteriaAccording to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, unprocessed juice or cider may appear in some grocery stores, health food stores, cider mills, farmers markets and juice bars, among other places.

These packaged products must contain the following information on the label: “WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.”

However, this label is not required for juice or cider sold by the glass, which is common in apple orchards, farmers markets, roadside stands, juice bars and some restaurants, the FDA notes.

For this reason, the FDA urges consumers to look at labels and ask if they are unsure.

“Don’t hesitate to ask if the labeling is unclear or the juice or cider is sold by the glass,” the agency says on its website.

Those most at risk of suffering serious illness or even death from consuming unpasteurized juices (or unpasteurized juices). Raw milk) include children, older adults aged 65 and over, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.