Unsafe Levels of Arsenic in Apple Juice

The Dr. Oz show reported in September 2011 that many popular brands of apple juice contain unsafe levels of arsenic. Brands included Apple & Eve, Great Value, Mott's, Walgreens and Welch's. The FDA disputed Dr. Oz's claim citing that he included both organic (non-cancer causing) and non-organic arsenic levels, causing inflated numbers. Instead of doing their own testing to make sure that apple juice was safe for human consumption they decided to send Dr. Oz a letter condemning his research and essentially calling him an alarmist. Consumer Reports decided to do their own research and their findings were similar to Dr. Oz's.

Consumer Reports, however, did its own study and their findings back Dr. Oz’s claims up. Out of the 88 samples of apple and grape juice they tested, 10% had levels of arsenic over the 10 parts per billion that the FDA deems to be a safe amount, and 25% of the samples tested showed lead levels above the 5 parts per billion allowed for bottled drinking water. Consumer Report’s tests the arsenic that was found in these juices are inorganic…the dangerous kind.

 Read More:  http://z6mag.com/featured/apple-juice-arsenic-levels-raise-fda-questions-by-dr-oz-consumer-reports-163473.html

The FDA has limits in place for arsenic and lead levels in bottled water, as well as drinking water, but when it comes to juices, there are no set standards.

For parents these findings are scary and may mean that brands of juice need to be switched. While a cup of juice many not have enough arsenic to make our children sick, it does add more toxins to our already over loaded system. Arsenic is one toxin that does not readily leave the body and therefore bio accumulates. This means that with each cup of juice we are putting our children and ourselves further at risk for illness. With the rise of learning disabilities, autism, and behavioral problems environmental pollutant factors need to be seriously looked into. What is the purpose of having a Food and Drug Administration when they are not doing their job to protect us?

If you are concerned and outraged it's time to let the FDA know how you feel. You can write and call them to demand that they set a standard acceptable level of arsenic in all juices and hold all juice makers accountable.

Address:
Food & Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20993

Phone: (888) 463-6332

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