Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Consumer Reports Warns of Arsenic in Fruit Juices

It wants FDA to tighten standards

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 30, 2011 6:20 PM CST

(Newser) – Apple juice and grape juice have levels of arsenic that could raise kids' risk of cancer, according to an investigation by Consumer Reports. The study of 88 samples of fruit juice bought in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut found that 10% had arsenic levels that exceeded standards set for federal drinking water. In addition, 25% exceeded the levels of lead deemed safe for bottled water.

The advocacy arm of the group, Consumers Union, called on the FDA to set safety levels for fruit juices given how many kids drink them. “What we’re talking about here is not about acute affects,” one CR scientist tells NBC. “We’re talking about chronic effects. We’re talking about cancer risk." In response to the study, the FDA said it remains confident in the safety of fruit juices but added that it "has expanded our surveillance activities and is collecting additional data."

Consumer Reports is warning about arsenic levels in apple and grape juices.
Consumer Reports is warning about arsenic levels in apple and grape juices.   (Shutterstock)
Consumer Reports is warning about arsenic levels in apple and grape juices.
Consumer Reports is warning about arsenic levels in apple and grape juices.   (Getty Images)
Consumer Reports is warning about arsenic levels in apple and grape juices.
Consumer Reports is warning about arsenic levels in apple and grape juices.   (Shutterstock)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
3%
5%
3%
1%
83%
5%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 18 comments
burgerboy
Dec 6, 2011 2:54 PM CST
If the arsenic doesn't kill ya the sugar will! Anything food or juice product that's processed is NFG for you!
Pancho14
Dec 6, 2011 8:56 AM CST
I do not understand the big focus on apple juice.  Chicken has actually been found to have more arsenic than apple juice (because it's put in their feed):  http://nutritionfacts.org/?p=4424  (NutritionFacts.org is an awesome excellent source for current research findings (and non-commercial too!).)  I think we should be more worried about the long-term effects of feeding our kids chicken than feeding them apple juice.
Achyvi
Dec 2, 2011 1:08 AM CST
I will never understand why people want fruit juices to have the same level of arsenic levels as water. Water does not have naturally-occurring arsenic (strictly speaking). Fruits do! Unless we're going to start making fruit juice without using the seeds, which is IMPOSSIBLE unless we're only going to use apple slices and seedless grapes (which would also be ungodly expensive, in addition to tasting different), people need to stop having a freakout knee-jerk reaction. The FDA does, in fact, have guidelines on it FOR FRUIT JUICES, which are separate from water for a damn reason. I would, however, be totally fine with further studies, since further knowledge is always useful, but I wish people would really think about this rationally.

 
cancer • FDA • health • carcinogens • apple juice • Consumer Reports • arsenic • grape juice

More Newser Stories

Rice Could Expose You to Arsenic

Coke Modifies Coloring to Avoid Cancer Label

Conservatives Wield FDA Data on HPV Vaccine

FDA Panel Passes First Cancer Vaccine

Taller Women at Higher Risk for Ovarian Cancer
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment