The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized limits on inorganic arsenic in apple juice.
“The guidance supports the FDA’s goal to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants from foods commonly consumed by babies and young children,” the agency said in its announcement.
Arsenic can occur naturally in the environment and also can be produced through human activity. Inorganic arsenic has been linked to cancer, diabetes and adverse birth outcomes. It also can have cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental effects, according to the FDA.
The FDA’s new action level for inorganic arsenic in apple juice is 10 parts per billion (ppb), which it first proposed in 2013. The guidance is nonbinding but can be taken into account when the FDA determines whether to take enforcement action against a manufacturer.
While many apple juices already have inorganic arsenic levels below 10 ppb, the FDA said it occasionally finds some above that mark. Officials said they “consider this level achievable with the use of good manufacturing practices” and noted it is not possible to remove arsenic entirely.
The lower arsenic levels support the FDA’s Closer to Zero action plan aiming to reduce children’s exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury from foods. Earlier this year the FDA proposed limits on lead in baby foods. Last year, it proposed limits on lead in juice. In 2020, it finalized limits on inorganic arsenic in rice cereals.
The AAP has been calling for swift, comprehensive federal regulation of heavy metals in foods babies eat. It has implored the FDA to ensure its approach is science-driven and takes into account potential unintended impacts on parents’ ability to purchase safe, nutritious foods.
The AAP also recommends families limit their fruit juice consumption due to its high sugar content. Its guidance calls for children under 1 year not to drink fruit juice. Children ages 1-3 years should be limited to 4 ounces of 100% fruit juice daily, children ages 4-6 years should consume no more than 4-6 ounces and children ages 7-18 years should drink no more than 8 ounces.
Resources
- FDA guidance for manufacturers on inorganic arsenic in apple juice
- Information for parents from HealthyChildren.org on reducing arsenic consumption
- AAP News Parent Plus article “Limit infants’ exposure to arsenic by feeding a variety of grains”
- AAP policy Fruit Juice in Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Current Recommendations
- Information for parents from HealthyChildren.org on fruit juice
- AAP News article “Closer to Zero: FDA’s action plan to lower toxic elements in baby foods”
