FDA Proposes to Limit Arsenic Levels in Apple Juice
Due to the exceeded amount of inorganic arsenic found in apple juice comparable to the allowed level of arsenic in drinking water, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has anticipated putting a perimeter on the amount of inorganic arsenic.
The FDA has recommended a limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic in apple juice. This is the same level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for arsenic in drinking water.
Inorganic arsenic may be instituted in foods as it exists in the atmosphere, both as a naturally occurring mineral and due to activities such as the use of arsenic-containing pesticides.
A known carcinogen, inorganic arsenic has also been linked with skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity and diabetes.
Michael Taylor, FDA's deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine said, "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."
The agency further said on their website that the FDA has been monitoring the presence of arsenic in apple juice for the past 20 years and has constantly found that samples cover low levels of arsenic, with few concessions.
"Now that the FDA has released its proposed guidance, we look forward to analyzing the agency's risk assessment, submitting comments, and continuing the dialogue on this important public health issue," said Urvashi Rangan, Director of Consumer Safety and Sustainability at the organization.
Due to its reasonable first step in protecting consumers from unnecessary exposure to arsenic, the proposal the proposal was highly praised by non-profit, liberated product-testing organization Consumer Reports.
