Arsenic, Lead Levels in Apple Juice Raises Concern Among Parents
Parents should be cautioned the next time they are in the grocery store buying juice for their children.
A new study by Consumer Reports in the January 2012 issue found that arsenic and lead levels found in commonly used products, such as apple and grape juice, are higher than the federal limit for drinking water.
Currently there is no federal limit regarding the levels of such substances in juices that are common in children’s diets.
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Consumer Reports tested 88 samples of locally bought apple juice and grape juice and found that 10 percent of the samples had total arsenic levels that exceeded federal drinking water standards of 10 parts per billion, and 25 percent of the samples had lead levels higher than the Food and Drug Administration's bottled water limit of 5 ppb.
Most of the arsenic detected in Consumer Reports' tests was a type known as inorganic, a human carcinogen.
While arsenic is produced naturally, such as being found in seafood, it can turn into an inorganic substance when combined with elements like sulfur, oxygen, and chlorine. In this form, it was found to be a carcinogen that can cause bladder, lung, and skin cancer in people. It also can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, immunodeficiency, and type 2 diabetes.
"Our test findings of arsenic and lead in apple juice are in line with existing data from the Food and Drug Administration," said Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D., and director of safety and sustainability for Consumer Reports.
"In fact, the agency has found higher levels of arsenic and lead in apple juice. We are concerned about the potential risks of exposure to these toxins especially for children who are particularly vulnerable because of their small body size and the amount of juice they regularly consume," Ragan added.
A Consumer Reports poll conducted as part of this investigation indicated that children love to drink juice and 35 percent of children five years and younger drink juices exceeding pediatricians' recommendations.
Consumer Reports listed a few guidelines that will help limit the exposure to children. Infants under six months should avoid juice. Children up to six years old should only consume four to six ounces a day while older children should consume no more than 12 ounces per day.
While they do insist that concerns exist, researchers also said moderate juice consumption will not affect one’s health.
