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Is Accidental Consumption Of 4-week-old Fruit Juice A Cause For Concern?

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Posted on Wed, 20 May 2015
Question: I gave my grandson some Motts Tots apple juice today, and just realized it was almost 4 weeks old. Will it make him sick and what should I look for? He is 4 years old. I gave him less than 4 ounces 1/2 strength.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I do not think that you have a cause to worry about

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Let me assure you that since it is a pre-packaged item, external source of infection is very unlikely to creep in. Unless contaminated right from the begining, I doubt if the child will get any problems and it is very unlikely that the apple juice was a contaminated one. So, in a nutshell, I do not think you need to worry.

The symptoms to look for, would be:
* Vomiting
* Passage of loose stools
* Lethargy

Unless the child is lethargic, you need not worry as the other symptoms can be controlled by giving ORS (oral rehydration solution). In case the child becomes lethargic, you would have to rush the child to a doctor without delay.

Hope that helps.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (5 minutes later)
The juice was in the refrigerator and had been opened. It did not appear off color or smell ba, but I realized it was opened about 1 month ago.

The juice was in an opened bottle in the refrigerator. I realized it was almost 4 weeks old. It did not look or smell bad.

How soon would symptoms begin if there was a problem? This happened about 12 hours ago.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
If symptoms were to arise, they should have already arisen by now

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking back. I understand your concerns. If symptoms were to arise, they should have already arisen by now. In case of contamination, the bacteria should have already grown and so it should not have taken more than 12 hours as. So, once again, I would insist you to stay relaxed. In case the symptoms arise, do as mentioned.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3877 Questions

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Is Accidental Consumption Of 4-week-old Fruit Juice A Cause For Concern?

Brief Answer: I do not think that you have a cause to worry about Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. Let me assure you that since it is a pre-packaged item, external source of infection is very unlikely to creep in. Unless contaminated right from the begining, I doubt if the child will get any problems and it is very unlikely that the apple juice was a contaminated one. So, in a nutshell, I do not think you need to worry. The symptoms to look for, would be: * Vomiting * Passage of loose stools * Lethargy Unless the child is lethargic, you need not worry as the other symptoms can be controlled by giving ORS (oral rehydration solution). In case the child becomes lethargic, you would have to rush the child to a doctor without delay. Hope that helps. Regards Dr. Diptanshu Das