The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a new limit on arsenic levels in apple juices.
The decision comes after more than a year of pressure from the public through consumer forums following various results from studies that showed the harmful effects of arsenic on children. Some studies showed that packaged apple juices have low levels of arsenic that cause cancer. The contaminant is found in almost everything including water, soil and pesticides.
Next to orange juice, apple juice is a popular drink among children and parents demanded lower arsenic levels amid health issue fears.
The proposed limit for arsenic levels in apple juice will be the same as in water.
Under the new guidelines, apple juice containing more than 10 parts per billion will be removed from the market and companies producing them may face legal action, the Associated Press reported.
FDA analyzed more than a dozen apple juice samples last year and found that 95 percent did not meet the new standards. The previous limit set in 2008 for arsenic was 23 parts per billion in apple juice.
"Overall the supply of apple juice is very safe and does not represent a threat to public health," said FDA Commissioner Dr Margaret Hamburg to the Associated Press. "We decided to put forward this proposed action level to give guidance to industry and to assure ongoing safety and quality."
Some health experts are of the opinion that children below 6 years of age should not be given more than 6 ounces of juices because of the calories in packaged juices. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits. "It is not necessary to offer children any juice to have a well-balanced, healthy diet."
In 2011 Dr Mehmet Oz noted that arsenic levels in apple juices were too high. But people dismissed his concerns saying he couldn't differentiate between organic and inorganic forms of arsenic. Organic form of arsenic is known to be less toxic.
