FDA Proposes to Limit Amount of Arsenic in Apple Juice

Following rising concern among the general public over the presence of arsenic in apple juice, the US Food and Drug Administration has proposed a limitation on the amount of arsenic in the juice.

While the level of arsenic allowed in tap water has already been limited by the Environmental Protection Agency, the FDA wants to place a similar limitation to the amount of the compound allowed in apple juice, making it the first time that such a standard has been applied to a food product.

Two tests conducted by Dr. Oz and Consumer Reports in 2011 found that the levels of arsenic in apple juice sometimes exceeded the EPA's limit for drinking water, leading to a number of consumer groups calling for a maximum limit to be imposed. The FDA finally proposed a limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic in apple juice, same level set by the EPA for drinking water.

"While the levels of arsenic in apple juice are very low, the FDA is proposing an action level to help prevent public exposure to the occasional lots of apple juice with arsenic levels above those permitted in drinking water. This action level will keep any apple juice that may have more inorganic arsenic than that out of the marketplace", DA's deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, Michael Taylor said.

Source: Medindia