Consumer Reports: Arsenic in Apple Juice

[MichaelB]

Consumer Reports Magazine has reported finding excessive levels of inorganic arsenic in apple juice, challenging the FDA to reassess its position that arsenic is not a problem and requesting the FDA to set a safety standard. From the report

Roughly 10 percent of our juice samples, from five brands, had total arsenic levels that exceeded federal drinking-water standards. Most of that arsenic was inorganic arsenic, a known carcinogen.

One in four samples had lead levels higher than the FDA’s bottled-water limit of 5 ppb. As with arsenic, no federal limit exists for lead in juice.

Apple and grape juice constitute a significant source of dietary exposure to arsenic, according to our analysis of federal health data from 2003 through 2008.

Children drink a lot of juice. Thirty-five percent of children 5 and younger drink juice in quantities exceeding pediatricians’ recommendations, our poll of parents shows.

Mounting scientific evidence suggests that chronic exposure to arsenic and lead even at levels below water standards can result in serious health problems.

Inorganic arsenic has been detected at disturbing levels in other foods, too, which suggests that more must be done to reduce overall dietary exposure.

The Consumers Report is here Arsenic in Juice | Apple and Grape Juice Arsenic Levels - Consumer Reports

And a pdf of test results is here http://www.consumerreports.org/cont...Reports Arsenic Test Results January 2012.pdf

 

[My Dream]

I saw that on the new yesterday as they showed a clip of Dr. Oz talking on the subject. Seem like some manufactures aren't too impressed with him these days.

To be honest, it's gotten to the point that I don't pay attention as much as I used to. Once they said an egg a day isn't good for you, then they said it's actually healthy, same with wine, milk, etc.. Can they ever make up there mind.


Thanks for posting the article, interesting read.

 

[eytonxav]

Dr Oz raised this concern some time ago, and was criticized by other practitioners, and now he seems vendicated.

 

[ERD50]

Dr Oz raised this concern some time ago, and was criticized by other practitioners, and now he seems vendicated.

Not really, IMO. I saw him go on about this on TV (GMA?), and he went over the top with his charges based on the very little evidence that he had. He just happened to be right this time.

I do think we should have standards in line with drinking water though. And parents should realize that these 'natural' juices are not really much better soda pop. They contain the same amount of sugar in most cases, and it isn't that big a deal if the sugar is fructose, sucrose, glucose or whatever - it's sugar. And these kids are getting too much of it. Yes, you get a few trace minerals and some vitamins in the juice, but far too many calories with it, and no fiber.

-ERD50

 

[Midpack]

If the 10ppb is so dangerous, I wonder why the EPA level was allowed to continue at 50ppb for almost 4 years? Why did Dr Oz use the drinking water standard of 10ppb when the juice standard is 23ppb? Trace amounts of arsenic are undoubtedly in other food products as well given the sources. Our tax dollars at work...

On January 22, 2001 EPA adopted a new standard for arsenic in drinking water at 10 parts per billion (ppb), replacing the old standard of 50 ppb. The rule became effective on February 22, 2002. The date by which systems must comply with the new 10 ppb standard is January 23, 2006.

[The Dr Oz Show] found 10% of apple juice and grape juice samples had total arsenic levels above the drinking water standard of 10 parts per billion. The Dr. Oz Show has learned that the FDA is re-evaluating the level of concern for juice, currently at 23 parts per billion.

Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table. It is odorless and tasteless. It enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices. Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards, runoff from glass & electronic production wastes.

Arsenic in Drinking Water | Arsenic | US EPA

But this is the funny one from the Chicago Trib

In the meantime, some consumer groups are advising parents to dilute their juice, vary the brands they serve and limit children's juice consumption.

Whatever health risk fruit juice, drinking water present, the risk is from chronic exposure, not acute. So the concentration (which is what this is all based on) isn't much of a factor at these levels, it's how much and how often you drink.

 

[citrine]

But why is it there in the first place....that is what I don't understand!

 

[Dudester]

But why is it there in the first place....that is what I don't understand!

I read an article on the Web several years ago -- sorry I can't give a link -- that said that around 1900 apple trees were sprayed with an arsenic-based insecticide. This spray hasn't been used for years, but the arsenic still lingers in the ground.

 

[ERD50]

I read an article on the Web several years ago -- sorry I can't give a link -- that said that around 1900 apple trees were sprayed with an arsenic-based insecticide. This spray hasn't been used for years, but the arsenic still lingers in the ground.

It is also naturally occurring.

I found this interesting:

Arsenic trioxide - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Austria there lived the so called "arsenic eaters of Styria", who ingested doses far beyond the lethal dose of arsenic trioxide without any apparent harm. Arsenic is thought to enable strenuous work at high altitudes, e.g. in the Alps.[16][17][18]

-ERD50

 

[Ronstar]

Thanks!

DW just forced me to quit drinking Diet Pepsi, and drink Apple Juice or cider instead. I've been drinking about 6 glasses of cider a day for the last week. If I live long enough, I'm going to forward this to her

 

[REWahoo]

Makes you wonder if she got an advanced peek at the findings...

 

[Leonidas]

Thanks!

DW just forced me to quit drinking Diet Pepsi, and drink Apple Juice or cider instead. I've been drinking about 6 glasses of cider a day for the last week. If I live long enough, I'm going to forward this to her

Wow, that's a lot of apple juice. My concerns would be the amount of sugar you're taking in - could be as much or more as you would get from a regular, non-diet soda.

"It's like sugar water," said Judith Stern, a nutrition professor at the University of California, Davis, who has consulted for candy makers as well as for Weight Watchers. "I won't let my 3-year-old grandson drink apple juice."

Apple juice can pose a health risk -- from calories - Boston.com

 

[HFWR]

Apple juice in medicinal form...

 

[powerplay]

Saw a news segment about this a couple days ago and the bigger concern expressed was the sugar consumption without the fiber, pectin, etc. that would be in the whole fruit.

I wonder if the amount of arsenic found in the apple juice would have been more, less, or about the same if testing was done 10 or 15 years ago.

 

[Brat]

My DIL dilutes apple juice for the grandchildren. She was focusing on sugars but by happenstance also reduced arsenic.

What is the source of the arsenic? Anyone know?

 

[Avalon]

Hmm....I was just hefting 2 big bottles of apple juice the other day.

 

[ls99]

AFIK apple seeds contain arsenic. Guess this means they grind up the seeds as well when making juice. Think of it as roughage.

hmmm, maybe a little arsenic over time builds up tolerance? So when the beloved slips you a lot, will be immune.

 

[Ronstar]

Wow, that's a lot of apple juice. My concerns would be the amount of sugar you're taking in - could be as much or more as you would get from a regular, non-diet soda.

You're right - 30 grams of sugar per serving. I better switch to water.

Makes you wonder if she got an advanced peek at the findings...

I know. I just went to look at the label to see sugar content and she tried to talk me into another glass.

 

[Dudester]

My DIL dilutes apple juice for the grandchildren. She was focusing on sugars but by happenstance also reduced arsenic.

What is the source of the arsenic? Anyone know?

I did some checking and determined that lead hydrogen arsenate was "widely used" as an insecticide mainly on apples in the US as well as other countries. It was banned for use in the US in 1988. See the Wikipedia entry

Lead hydrogen arsenate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

for more details. It looks like in addition to arsenic apple eaters may be getting lead as well.

I read a Seattle Times article many years ago that said attempts to build homes on former apple orchards next to Lake Chelan ran into a problem of heavy arsenic contamination of the soil. Thus, it seems probable to me that a major source of arsenic in apples is lead arsenate.

 

[TromboneAl]

But why is it there in the first place....that is what I don't understand!

It bugs me when news stories don't answer an obvious question. Didn't someone at NBC Nightly News say, "Shouldn't we mention to source of the arsenic?"

 

[eytonxav]

Not really, IMO. I saw him go on about this on TV (GMA?), and he went over the top with his charges based on the very little evidence that he had. He just happened to be right this time.


-ERD50

Seems Dr Besser went a bit over the top in criticizing Dr Oz, but just the other day admitted on TV that Dr Oz was right. This was the GMA piece you referenced, but I have not been able to find a link to Besser's TV appearance the other day admitting Oz was right.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/09/15/dr-besser-vs-dr-oz-apple-juice-showdown-on-gma/

But yes from my perspective, I would be more concerned about the sugars in these juices than the arsenic levels. Also, I'm not sure anyone should put too much faith in anything the FDA says either.

 

[ERD50]

AFIK apple seeds contain arsenic. Guess this means they grind up the seeds as well when making juice. Think of it as roughage.

No, that is cyanide in apple seeds. Mmmmmmmm cyanide, much tastier than arsenic.

hmmm, maybe a little arsenic over time builds up tolerance? So when the beloved slips you a lot, will be immune.

Actually yes. Look back at my earlier link on the 'arsenic eaters', they built up their tolerance over time and ate lethal doses - supposedly to help with high altitude adaption.


-ERD50

 

[ls99]

Got it.

 

[bbbamI]

Hmm....I was just hefting 2 big bottles of apple juice the other day.

Watch out...yer back will get sore.

 

[ERD50]

Seems Dr Besser went a bit over the top in criticizing Dr Oz, but just the other day admitted on TV that Dr Oz was right. This was the GMA piece you referenced, but I have not been able to find a link to Besser's TV appearance the other day admitting Oz was right.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/09/15/dr-besser-vs-dr-oz-apple-juice-showdown-on-gma/

Well, I actually did happen to catch both segments when they aired (waddya do all day?). I listened again to the original you just linked, and I'll stand by Dr Bresser.

Oz dances around it with red herrings, but it is true that he didn't have the labs test for both organic and inorganic arsenic. They just tested for 'total arsenic'. I read the FDA letters and other sources when this news hit - the concern is the inorganic type. But the industry standard is to do an initial test for total arsenic, because that is fast and cheap. If that is high, then they run the further test to check the breakdown of the two.

OZ dances by saying there are some 'indications' that total can be bad, bla, bla and goes on to say those studies showed it was safe, but bla,bla, bla, there are 'suspicians' that it could do this or that. But he doesn't come out and admit that they never tested for inorganic arsenic. He red herrings it by saying the FDA test for total initially (they do, as I stated above) - but that doesn't justify NOT testing for inorganic arsenic, and claiming that there are dangers.

I don't think Dr Brenner should have apologized. It was bad science by OZ, and he just got lucky. It's like saying that buying lottery tickets is good financial advice because you know someone who won.

Brenner could have said it is good that this came to our attention, but it was still bad science. Oz should have kept quiet until he had the inorganic tests done.

But yes from my perspective, I would be more concerned about the sugars in these juices than the arsenic levels. Also, I'm not sure anyone should put too much faith in anything the FDA says either.

This is the biggest issue that I see. Brenner was going by FDA reports/data, and now Consumer Reports seems to show the FDA wasn't catching the levels. I want to hear the FDA response to that!

-ERD50

 

[tightasadrum]

The two doctors shook hands on ABC nightly news. I guess Dr. Oz got slammed pretty badly by the other doc.
Now, what about morning orange juice? I get about 6oz each morning. Will that be the next bad thing?