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The Dr. Oz Show Finds High Levels of Arsenic in Store-Bought Apple Juice
Some popular brands of apple juice have be found to contain high levels of arsenic.
In an episode airing today, The Dr. Oz show revealed shocking results after testing five popular brands of apple juice. Some exceeded the federal level of arsenic set by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
While there is currently no limit on the amount of arsenic allowed in apple juice, The EPA does have a limit on arsenic in drinking water: 10 parts per billion. The Dr. Oz Show tested three dozen samples from five different brands of apple juice with Apple and Eve, Mott’s, Gerber, and Juicy Juice among the worst offenders — with Gerber as high as 36 parts per billion.
The FDA explains that “arsenic is present in the environment as a naturally occurring substance or as a result of contamination from human activity. It is found in water, air, food, and soil in organic and inorganic forms. As a result, small amounts of arsenic can be found in certain food and beverage products—including fruit juices and juice concentrates.”
The juice companies have also responded in statements linked on The Dr. Oz Show website, with Gerber, Juicy Juice, and Mott’s claiming that The Dr. Oz Show’s findings are inaccurate.
I don’t know about you but I think that anything over the limit even allowed in drinking water shouldn’t be allowed in anything else, but there could be more to it than we know. I’m curious if the higher levels are less harmful when arsenic is combined with other ingredients or elements in the juice? Parents want (and need) to know.
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6 Comments
Ann commented on Sep 14 11 at 8:20 pmI switched to buying organic apples because of the dozens of pesticides you can’t wash off of regular.
Just last week I realized that our apple juice and apple sauce is probably thoroughly contaminated with chemicals.
And now this.
warpwind commented on Sep 15 11 at 6:35 amJust a few quick points -
One – I can’t think of anything in apple juice that would bond well enough with Arsenic to prevent it being absorbed by the stomach and it’s powerful acids.
Two – Plants and animals concentrate most minerals and heavy metals. In fact testing or observing plants is one way to search for mineral deposits. Plants and animals will always have higher background levels of contaminants than water.
Three – The reason the threshold on water is so low is that it not only is one of the most consumed substances but it also goes into making a bunch of other food and drink products.
Four – the levels of arsenic quoted in this article are still rather low. Very long term exposure would cause problems but more along the kidney and heart disease and cancer than actual poisoning.
Rosana commented on Sep 15 11 at 8:42 amWho did the testing and where? If the testing is not done correctly or if the people doing the testing do not follow the right procedures, contamination of the sample can occur and the results will still be attached to the juice.
bob commented on Sep 15 11 at 10:21 amI think I know what you mean, warpwind, when you say “Plants and animals will always have higher background levels of contaminants than water” — that there tends to be more contaminants in organic matter than in the water the organics consumed. You’d likely concede that water is capable of being highly contaminated, too, particularly through sedimentation and evaporation, etc.
Shandeigh commented on Sep 15 11 at 2:26 pmI’m not an expert… but I would guess the Arsenic is coming from the apple seeds, which is why you should never eat apple seeds.
nancy commented on Sep 15 11 at 10:09 pmi may start buying organic after reading this – i only buy apple/fruit juice from
the usa bc of the standards we have for pesticides – so many juices come from china & south america where there are no regulations – i even called motts bc there was nothing written on the label – they told me if it is not labelled it is form the usa – most brands are mixed from other countries!!
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