[curiousjoe (OP)]

This morning I opened up a sealed jug of Trader Joe's brand orange juice. To my surprise, it tasted fizzy. [] What might be the cause of this? And is it safe to drink? (the expiration date is Feb 08)

-curious joe

[Karen W.]

curiousjoe,

You should not drink it if it does not say carbonated. It sounds as if the seal was not good or it had been allowed to be too warm and that it turned or began fermenting! I would not drink it unless you already have and then I would say sorry.. I hope you don't get sick or a sour tummy!

It doesn't matter what the date says if it was improperly handled or stored it will turn and be bad before the date! You never know when the truck breaks down how long that product might be unrefrigerated.. Usually they are very careful but sometimes things like that slip through! Be careful!

[techmind]

As Karen says, it sounds like it's started fermenting.
I've had this happen (with other brands) once or twice in 10 years.
As long as you've kept it according to instructions (i.e. refridgerated if that's what it says, and didn't let it warm up excessively between the shop and your home), then you'd be well within your rights (in British law, at least) to ask the shop for a refund or exchange.

[chris]

Yes, this is right - orange and other fruit juices turn "fizzy" after being open for a few days because microbes multiply in the sugar-rich liquid and produce dissolved gases and other chemicals which alter the flavour. This process is slowed by cold temperatures, hence the guidance to keep the juice in the fridge once it is opened.

In the case of your juice, however, it sounds as though it was fermenting inside the packet, which might indicate contamination at source. I shouldn't drink it if I were you!

Chris

[Karen W.]

I hope curious Joe is OK!

[opus]

in warm weather, people have reported exploding cartons of smoothies- is this due to fermentation too d'you think.....

[Karen W.]

Yes I believe so!

[curiousjoe (OP)]

Thanks for all the input!
When I first opened the carton I drank a glass of the juice (it was actually quite tasty) and I felt fine afterwards - no stomach ache. However, I am planning to return it and the second jug I bought at the same time, just in case it's from the same batch.

-curious joe

[Karen W.]

Glad you are ok!