Arsenic in Apple Juice - Is it Safe to Drink Apple Juice?

Arsenic in Apple Juice - Is it Safe to Drink Apple Juice?

If you have been following news reports about arsenic foods, you've probably seen Dr.Oz's report about arsenic in apple juice andConsumer Reports studies about high levels of arsenic rice, and the FDA's proposal to limit the amount of arsenic in apple juice. But what does it all mean? Is it safe to drink apple juice? And half the world's population eats rice as their basic food each day. Are they all dying from arsenic poisoning?

This page presents an explanation of the issues, links to the reference sources and a bottom line conclusion.

Update for 2024: Walmart is recalling apple juice in 25 states due to arsenic levels.  Distributed by Refresco Beverages and sold as Great Value brand; 8oz Apple Juice in 6 pack; 100% Juice; packaged in 8 oz. PET plastic bottles; UPC 0-78742-29655-5 with a best-if-used-by date of December 28, 2024. FDA recall announcement says the juice was sold in 25 states: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia. The juice was also sold in Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Why is arsenic dangerous?

A known carcinogen, inorganic arsenic also has been associated with skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, and diabetes. Chronic arsenic exposure can initially cause gastrointestinal problems and skin discoloration or lesions. Signs of chronic low-level arsenic exposure can be mistaken for other ailments such as chronic fatigue syndrome.

Inorganic arsenic, the sum of arsenite (As+3) and arsenate (As+5), is generally considered more toxic than organic arsenic, and some organic species in food (such as arsenobetaine, commonly found in seafood) are considered nontoxic (

How does arsenic get into apple juice?

Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance and naturally finds its way into many foods, from apple juice and rice to meats like chicken, but usually in trace amounts.

Older pesticides (now banned) contained arsenic, which led to a build-up of arsenic in soils, which can still find its way into foods. Arsenic was also used in a preservative for pressure-treating wood (that was banned in 2003) , which is commonly used for decks and playground equipment. Consumer Reports has an interactive map of the known contamination of groundwater here.

Imported foods, from countries with no or lax standards or poor enforcement, like China (from which much apple juice is imported to the U.S.) also accounts for the presence of some arsenic in our food.

Who says arsenic in apple juice is risky?

Consumer reports, the FDA and Dr. Oz all say that arsenic levels in apple juice can exceed chronic risk levels. The Consumer reports study, included tests of apple and grape juice (download a PDF of the complete test results ),

What's being done about arsenic in apple juice?

On July 12, 2013, the Food and Drug Administration said it will set a new limit on the level of arsenic allowed in apple juice, at 10 parts per billlion (ppb), the level allowed in drinking water.

Any apple juice that contains more than 10 ppb could be removed from the market and its manufacturers could risk legal action, according to the FDA.

Conclusions: What is the truth? What really is the risk?

The former acting head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Richard Besser, challenged Dr. Oz on Good Morning America in 2011, calling his report "extremely irresponsible," since the study considered only total levels of arsenic, making no difference between naturally occurring organic arsenic (which also passes quickly through the body), and inorganic arsenic, which is considered to be carcinogenic.

A few months later, Consumer Reports published the results of its own investigation, finding that 95% of the 94 samples of apple juice in its study met the 10 ppb drinking water standard for inorganic arsenic and all samples passed for total arsenic .

Many sources say that children under 6 shouldn't be drinking much juice anyway, because it's high in calories. Health experts say children under 6 shouldn't drink any more than 6 ounces of juice a day - about the size of a juice box. Infants under 6 months shouldn't drink any juice at all.

The American Academy of Pediatrics said on July 12, 2013 that children should be encouraged to eat whole fruit adding, "it is not necessary to offer children any juice to have a well-balanced, healthy diet."

And an obvious trick is to dilute your apple juice with water: that will cut calories, cut the cost and also reduce the amount of arsenic consumed!

So we're left with trying to avoid drinking quarts of apple juice each day and drinking more water instead. Beyond that...don't worry!

Related:

Elevated Lead & Chromium Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (November 2023): The FDA recalled cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products. Information on lot codes and UPCs can be found in the firm's recall announcement.
Recalled WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches – including three packs
Recalled Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety pack
Recalled Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches
These products are off the market and no longer available for sale; however, they have a long shelf life. Consumers should check their pantries and discard any recalled products.

References:

Many of the references are found by links throughout the article above, but are present here for clarity:

1. FDA announcement of limits on arsenic in apple juice. - US FDA,
2. FDA to set new limit on arsenic in apple juice - Washington Post.
3. Total Arsenic in Mott's and Nestle/Gerber Apple Juice, US FDA, December 16, 2011
4. Results of Arsenic Analysis in Single-Strength Apple Juice, 2011 (ORA Sampling Assignment 2011102701) - US FDA, December 16, 2011
5. Arsenic in Apple Juice Analytical Results, 2005-2011 Toxic Elements Food and Foodware Program - US FDA, December 16, 2011
6. Questions & Answers: Apple Juice and Arsenic - US FDA, December 16, 2011
7. Juice Companies Respond - After uncovering unsettling test results showing arsenic in apple juice, The Dr. Oz Show reached out to the juice companies and the Juice Products Association to get their side of the story. Below are the statements we received.