Arsenic in Apple Juice? – The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
December 2, 2011 in Health Information, Juicing Tips
There have been recent claims made through many major news outlets that a recent Consumer Reports study has found higher levels than expected of arsenic in apple juice and grape juice. But we wonder, is apple juice safe to drink or will new regulations surface as a result of this study? Read on to find out more.
What is arsenic?
According to the FDA, there are two types of arsenic. Organic arsenic is a naturally occurring substance and is essentially harmless. However, in some cases, organic arsenic can turn into inorganic arsenic. Inorganic arsenic is a harmful form caused by contamination. Both have been found in ground water and soil, which is why they also can be found in some foods and beverages. High levels of arsenic can increase the risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease over time.
What type of arsenic was found in apple and grape juice?
Consumer Reports’ study found both organic and inorganic types of arsenic in apple and grape juice. However, most of the arsenic that was found is inorganic arsenic.
How much arsenic was found?
Although the FDA does not currently have regulations as to arsenic limits for fruit juices, the limitation for bottle and drinking water is 10 parts per million (ppm). Consumer Reports tested 88 samples of 28 apple and grape juice store-bought brands. Of these, about 10% had arsenic levels that were above 10 ppm. Apple juice ranged from 1.1 ppm – 13.9 ppm while grape juice ranged from 5.9 ppm – 24.7 ppm. The FDA is now looking into this research and collecting data and may soon offer a new regulation for fruit juices.
Is apple juice safe to drink?
The FDA has released a statement saying:
“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been testing for arsenic in apple juice and other fruit juices for decades as part of FDA programs that look for harmful substances in food. We continue to find the vast majority of apple juice tested to contain low level of arsenic. For this reason, FDA is confident in the overall safety of apple juice consumed in this country.”
Photo Credit: topfer @ sxc