WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration is expanding its surveillance activity and collecting additional data to determine if a guidance level can be established to reduce consumer exposure to arsenic in apple juice.
While federal limits exist for arsenic and lead in bottled and drinking water, none are defined for fruit juices.
The increased activity comes in response to a Consumer Reports analysis that found arsenic levels exceeding federal drinking water standards in 10% of the 88 samples of apple and grape juice collected in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut for testing. One in four juices had lead levels higher than the limit for bottled water set by the FDA, according to Consumer Reports.
“We welcome the research that Consumer Reports has undertaken and look forward to reviewing the data that formed the basis for their story and their recommendations,” said the FDA in a statement.
