FDA Sets Definitive Arsenic Limit for Apple Juice to Ensure Consumer Safety

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its finalized guidance regarding the permissible amount of inorganic arsenic in apple juice. The agency’s announcement, made on Thursday, reaffirmed the previously proposed level of 10 parts per billion (ppb), which was first suggested in 2013. The FDA’s objective with this guidance is to minimize the exposure of infants and young children to environmental contaminants present in food.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can exist in two forms: organic and inorganic. Organic arsenic compounds are primarily found in fish and shellfish, and exposure to this form is not believed to be detrimental to human health. In contrast, inorganic compounds are present in soil, sediments, and groundwater, and were historically used in pest control and paint production.

It is important to note that the maximum limit established by the FDA is not compulsory for manufacturers. However, the agency will continue to conduct arsenic testing on samples, and if higher levels are detected, it may consider the limit as one of several factors when deciding whether to take action against a company.

The FDA hopes to encourage manufacturers to voluntarily reduce the amount of arsenic in their apple juice products. While some recent samples have shown arsenic levels below 3 ppb and 5 ppb, certain samples still exceed the 10 ppb limit. The FDA justified finalizing the action level at 10 ppb by stating that it is an achievable target through the implementation of good manufacturing practices.

Nevertheless, the FDA emphasizes that the established limit is not definitive. The agency intends to revisit this action level as part of its Closer to Zero action plan, as lower arsenic levels are considered more protective of public health.

Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization, argues that the FDA’s announcement will have limited impact on public health, particularly since many manufacturers already comply with or surpass the 10 ppb threshold. A Consumer Reports study conducted in 2018 on 45 popular fruit juices revealed that nearly half of them contained elevated levels of cadmium, inorganic arsenic, and/or lead. However, almost all the juices tested had inorganic arsenic levels below the FDA’s limit of 10 ppb, and 58 percent had levels below Consumer Reports’ recommended cutoff of 3 ppb.

Brian Ronholm, Director of Food Policy for Consumer Reports, contends that current scientific evidence indicates the limit for arsenic in apple juice should be below 10 ppb, suggesting it should be set at 3 ppb instead. He emphasizes that this issue extends beyond apple juice and expresses support for the FDA’s efforts to establish limits on arsenic levels, particularly in baby food and juices. Ronholm acknowledges that some manufacturers have succeeded in significantly reducing arsenic levels in their juices, but believes that the FDA should be more proactive in addressing this concern.

Ronholm appreciates the FDA’s recent focus on addressing food chemicals and heavy metals, and hopes that the agency will continue to prioritize these matters, taking necessary action if alarming levels of inorganic arsenic are found in apple juice.