Levels of Arsenic in Fruit Juice May Increase Cancer Risk
A study conducted by Consumer Reports revealed that a number of brands of apple and grape juice contained arsenic at levels that may be high enough to increase children’s risk for cancer and other chronic diseases later in life.
Ten percent of the juices tested as part of the study were found to contain arsenic at levels that were higher than what is allowed in water by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Urvashi Rangan, senior scientist at Consumer Reports, shared: “We’re talking about chronic effects. We’re talking about cancer risk. And so, the fact that 10 percent of our samples exceeded the drinking water standard underscores the need for a standard to be set in juices.”
Rangan explained further that the concern is hinged upon the fact that arsenic may accumulate in children’s bodies over time, which may increase their risk for developing chronic conditions.
Consumer Reports shared that five samples of apple juice and four samples of grape juice had arsenic levels that exceed the federal limit for bottled and drinking water, which is set at 10 parts per billion (ppb). The brand that has the lowest arsenic content, at 1.1-4.3 total arsenic ppb, is Welch’s Pourable Concentrate 100% Apple Juice. America’s Choice Apple, Tropicana 100% Apple, and Red Jacket Orchards 100% Apple also have low arsenic levels.
Consumer reports noted that most of the total arsenic in the samples tested were inorganic.Tags: arsenic in apple juice, arsenic in fruit juice, arsenic in grape juice, arsenic in juice packs, arsenic risks