Do you run the plastic pitcher through the dishwasher? How long are you storing the lemonade? Glass is nice but I find it heavy and awkward to lift.

Have you tried sanitizing it? After washing and rinsing, do a food safe bleach solution and let it soak for at least two minutes before letting air dry. You can go back and rinse it after it has dried if you feel like you need to. A tablespoon of food safe bleach per gallon of water is the usual recommended ratio for sanitizing food surfaces.

I would not store high acid food in plastic. There are too many variables about plastics, their age, where they came from, etc. Glass, as suggested above, is much safer and easier to sterilize.

Thanks for the replies! I haven't put it in a dishwasher, I use Dawn Antibacterial in the sink. I'll try going with a glass pitcher for a while to see if that makes a difference. I keep a pitcher in the fridge for maybe a week or two. It's very odd though because I can keep fresh orange juice and limeade in the pitcher for the same duration without the mold forming. I'll see how my lemonade holds up in glass to eliminate some variables.

I’m a bit surprised that fruit juice still tastes good after 2 weeks, I’d try to keep only what I’d use in maybe 7 days.

This may be a "DUH!" thing, but, do you wash off the outside of your lemons before squeezing? There might be some form of mold on the lemons that comes off during squeezing. (just a thought)

And do you freeze the lemon juice between batches of lemonade?

Mold is not a bacteria, and sugar as found in orange juice is a deterrent, perhaps it;s the fact that you are using stevia rather than sugar that's a factor

perhaps it is not mold, but some chemcal reaction between the elements of plastic and the ingredients and your water. maybe?

Mold takes some time to grow and seems highly ulikely to grow as quickly as you seem to indicate.

And the acid in the citrus should inhibit the growth of mold and make it pretty unlikely.

It is very likely some other chemical reaction going on. Or, as some have suggested, try using a glass container instead of a plastic one.

Mold spores are airborne and find a damp host, then multiply quickly at room temperatures....12-24 hours. Refridgerated temps will slow that down. Think damp laundry or funky bathrooms that are always damp.

Acidic ingredients will not prevent molds if oxygen is available. Once a canned acidic pantry ball jar is opened, it needs to be in the fridge. Like any shelf stable jarred products. Even acidic ones.

You would need an intervention expert to really get to the bottom of the problem....testing a sample for example. Or wipe it down with a folded damp paper towel and place it in a zip-lock tight. Wait a few days at room temp to see if it multiplies...

I make concentrated juices I keep in the freezer. Maple water, rhubarb, ginger, turmeric root, lemon/lime, pepper blend...thaw as we want them to add to seltzer or our water bottles or iced tea. Using different fruits as the harvest comes in the Fall. Never more than a couple days thawed.

A big issue now with reusable silicone and other containers that are hard to get completely dry in the creases. Or the zip-top areas. Moisture is a breeding ground for molds.

The filthiest thing in your kitchen after the sponge is the drip coffee pots. Or any appliance that holds water endlessly. Keurig, etc. No vinegar acidic rinse will clean that effectively. It needs to dry out of all moisture.

Definitely think you should switch to glass, and make only enough for a few days at the most. 2 weeks is plenty of time for mold or mildew to grow - esp. if you're taking it out often, which warms it up and allows ambient spores to get in.

Soaking the plastic container in a bleach solution should eliminate the mold/mildew.

Nice help given here

Same problem with lemonade Kool Aide and plastic pitcher after only a few days

wash regularly and bleach will not touch it but will wipe out with a paper towel

Just started recently same pitcher used all summer different brand of sugar

Was already thinking of going to glass or crock

After going back to Domino’s