A recent Consumer Reports investigation found that a large number of juices, including apple, grape and fruit blends, contain traces of lead, cadmium or arsenic. Mercury, which can cause cancer and neurological problems in high doses, is also found in some juices.
Consumers are often concerned about the presence toxic chemicals in food and drink. Many companies do extensive testing on their products before they are put on shelves.
FDA is currently investigating arsenic and apple juice. Agency says it wants to ensure the safety of children drinking apple juice, and minimize the potential for harm to their health.
Inorganic Arsenic, which is found in apple juice, can be a concern as it is a known carcinogen. It can cause bladder cancer, skin cancer, and lung cancer. It can also damage the immune system, increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes and lower a person's IQ.
There has been a shift over the years in the way juice is made. Some companies now use China-made apple-juice concentrated, which is well known for its high arsenic level in its groundwater. The concentrate is mixed with water and sold as juice to consumers.
This is because arsenic can be added to apple-juice concentrate by mixing it with water. A number of companies have voluntarily recalled their juice, according to the Food Safety News website, including Nature's Own 100% Apple Juice, Tropicana 100% Apple Juice and Red Jacket Orchards 100% Fuji Apple Juice Never From Concentrate (PDF).
Inorganic arsenic has been associated with cancer, skin and kidney diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer in humans. However, it can also be caused volcanic eruptions or rock erosion. The EPA recommends that you avoid drinking water that contains more than 10 parts per billion of total arsenic, but this isn't always possible.
Because arsenic is naturally occurring in some parts of the world, it's not uncommon to find trace amounts in foods and beverages that are produced abroad. These substances could also contain pesticides.
Children and others, especially, are most vulnerable to the effects inorganic arsenic has on their bodies. They have weaker systems of processing chemicals so they cannot fully absorb them. According to the CDC's study, children who eat high amounts arsenic-rich juice may have impaired brain growth and other health issues.
For this reason, a growing number of consumers are seeking out juices that do not contain arsenic. You can find some of these juices online or in grocery stores.
CR tested 45 apples, grapes and juices from national and private label brands to find traces of cadmium. It found that 21 percent of the 45 tested juices had "concerning amounts" for at least one of the metals. Some brands, such Welch's or Trader Joe's Fresh Pressed Apple Juices, also exceeded the FDA's limit.