Consumer Reports Applauds FDA for Issuing Proposed Apple Juice Guidance

YONKERS, NY — “We are pleased to see the Food and Drug Administration taking this action. Proposing a 10 ppb guidance for apple juice—the same level set for water—is a reasonable first step in protecting consumers from unnecessary exposure to arsenic. It also offers an important enforcement and accountability tool for regulators and a key benchmark for apple juice manufacturers,” says Dr. Urvashi Rangan, Director of Consumer Safety and Sustainability at Consumer Reports.

“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. In the meantime, we continue to recommend to parents that they should moderate their kids’ juice consumption, consistent with American Academy of Pediatric guidelines,” adds Dr. Rangan.

Setting limits for arsenic in foods, like juice and rice, is important to help reduce exposure and better protect public health.  While arsenic may occur naturally, human activities continue to contribute to arsenic contamination of soil and water.  This important step by FDA today should prompt a renewed focus on the need to reduce arsenic pollution in the environment which comes from the use of arsenic based compounds in agriculture as well as other sources.

In November 2011, Consumer Reports released its study of arsenic and lead in apple and grape juice. As a result of its findings, Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, called on the Food and Drug Administration to set standards.

For more information on Consumer Reports’ work on arsenic, visit:
http://consumersunion.org/topics/food-safety/food-contaminants/arsenic.