Monday, July 15, 2013

USDA Sets Limits for Arsenic in Apple Juice

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, after decades, has proposed limiting the amount of inorganic arsenic in apple juice to the same level allowed in drinking water.
Most of apple juice tested by the FDA has contained low levels of inorganic  arsenic that were considered safe. The agency  proposed a limit of 10 parts per billion for inorganic arsenic in apple juice, the same level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for arsenic in drinking water.This action will keep apple juice that has more inorganic arsenic out of the marketplace..
Last year the agency tested 94 samples of arsenic in apple juice and found that all were below the 10 ppb threshold for inorganic arsenic. The FDA is now setting that limit as the allowable future benchmark. It will accept public comments on its recommendations for 60 days.
Inorganic arsenic may be found in foods because it naturally occurs in the environment, and due to the use of arsenic in pesticides.
Inorganic arsenic has been associated with skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity and diabetes. Organic forms of arsenic, also found in soil and groundwater, are considered harmless.
"The standard they've chosen may not be adequate to fully protect the public," said Caroline Smith DeWaal, director of food safety at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
The proposal was applauded by non-profit, independent product-testing organization Consumer Reports, which called it a "reasonable first step in protecting consumers from unnecessary exposure to arsenic”.
"This is also a signal that we need to refocus on how we are introducing arsenic into the environment," said Urvashi Rangan, director of consumer safety and sustainability at Consumer Reports. "You want to see that standard get stronger and stronger over time, and we're going to hope to see that with apple juice."

Source Reuters

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