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A friend of mine noticed a green slime on the straw he used to drink boxed juice. So he cut the carton open and brought it to show me.
In the juice, which was still within its expiration date, there was a moldy green slime stuck to the edges of the carton. We found out that this is not an isolated case at all. The slime forms when air penetrates the carton, which causes the sugar in the juice to start fermenting.
Boxed juices
It forms fairly often in children’s juices because these products nowadays frequently no longer contain preservatives (which is otherwise commendable). Air can get into the carton even through very tiny holes. Even those through which liquid does not leak out, but air can pass. Fortunately, the mentioned slime is not very dangerous, but it is quite disgusting.
Recommendation
The recommendation is that people reduce their consumption of boxed juices because they contain high amounts of bad sugars and empty calories that do not support good health. In addition, they can become a gateway to other unhealthy foods and sweets.
The reason is that the sugar they contain triggers the release of natural opiates in the body. The body then craves more. The same applies to foods high in fat and salt. This is why people become addicted to so‑called „Junk“ foods like potato chips, ice cream, hamburgers and the like.
Regarding boxed juices, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following:
Newborns up to 6 months should never consume them unless explicitly recommended by a physician (for example, for constipation).
Children between 6 months and 6 years get no nutritional benefit from them. Instead of juices, give them fresh fruit rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber.
If you do give children boxed juices to drink, limit the daily amount to a maximum of 2 dcl for children up to 6 years and a maximum of 3.5 dcl for children from 7 to 18 years.
Never give them unpasteurized juice (unless it is freshly pressed).
Each of us occasionally buys children a juice in a carton because they are convenient and children like them. Besides, they are somewhat less unhealthy than fizzy sodas. However, in general they are not healthy at all and you can never tell whether there is mold inside. It is therefore better to teach our children that whenever they are thirsty they should reach for clean water, or for homemade freshly squeezed juices.
