FDA Sets Final Limit on Arsenic in Apple Juice

In early June 2023, the FDA announced that it had finalized the guidance on the level of arsenic in apple juice, reconfirming the draft guidance set by the agency in 2013—10 years ago.

The final guidance sets the max level of inorganic arsenic at 10 parts per billion (ppb). With a goal of reducing exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxins in food, especially food that babies and children are more likely to consume (like apple juice), the updated guidelines are an important step for public health. But they’re non-binding for manufacturers—and some say they’re not drastic enough. Here’s what to know.

Levels of arsenic in apple juice have been decreasing

Mounting evidence has shown that high levels of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic and cadmium have been found in juices and baby food made from fresh fruits and vegetables. Because even small amounts of heavy metal exposure can be harmful to developing brains (arsenic exposure has been linked to neurodevelopmental effects, as well as cardiovascular conditions, cancer, diabetes and adverse birth outcomes), advocacy groups have been urging the FDA to set limits to reduce the impact.

FDA action levels, although not enforceable, work to set limits that the agency may use in deciding when to pursue legal action. Recently, the FDA lowered the level of lead in apple juice from 50 ppb to 10 ppb for apple juice, and 20 ppb for other fruit juices.

And while the agency noted that levels of arsenic in apple juice have been decreasing since the release of the draft guidance, with more samples falling below 3 ppb or 5 ppb, some still contain levels above 10 ppb. “Therefore, we are finalizing an action level of 10 ppb because we consider this level achievable with the use of good manufacturing practices,” the FDA added.

The agency expects to revisit this level as part of its larger “Closer to Zero” action plan.

Not going far enough

Consumer Reports, however, asserts that the guidance for arsenic in apple juice won’t have a large enough impact in protecting kids from heavy metal exposure, arguing instead for a reduction to 3 ppb of arsenic in apple juice, which the agency says will be more health-protective.

In 2018, Consumer Reports tested 45 fruit juices sold across the country—including apple, grape, pear, and fruit blends—and found elevated levels of cadmium, lead, and/or arsenic in 21 samples (47%). All but one of the samples tested had arsenic levels below the FDA’s 10 ppb limit, and 58% had levels below CR’s recommended cutoff of 3 ppb.

“Nonetheless, it is encouraging that the FDA has recently undertaken a renewed focus on addressing food chemicals and heavy metals,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy for Consumer Reports, in a statement. “Hopefully, the FDA will continue to focus on these issues and monitor and take action if they find troubling levels of inorganic arsenic in apple juice.”

Heavy metals are hard to avoid

Heavy metals abound in the environment—and are difficult to avoid. It’s not just packaged foods that are the culprits, either—a large-scale study recently found heavy metal contaminants like arsenic, lead and cadmium were found in 94% of samples of homemade baby food, showing that going the DIY route is no safer. The issue seems to be the fruit and vegetables themselves—meaning it’s an environmental problem.

And it’s not just apple juice. A separate 2023 study found that mixed fruit juices and plant-based milks like oat milk frequently contained high concentrations of elements such as cadmium and arsenic, with some levels of the heavy metals exceeding the safe limits set for water.¹

Of course, as a parent, this news is unsettling. What’s considered safe to feed your kids? When it comes to juice, the researchers behind the 2023 study note that these drinks are often consumed in smaller quantities than other beverages like water and breast milk or formula, which can help limit the potential health risks. It’s best to keep quantities small.

“People should avoid giving infants and young children mixed-fruit juices or plant-based milks at high volume,” said Tewodros Godebo, lead author and assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. “Arsenic, lead, and cadmium are known carcinogens and well established to cause internal organ damage and cognitive harm in children especially during early brain development.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doesn’t recommend offering juice to kids before the age of 1. For kids between the ages of 1 and 6, AAP notes that fruit juice offers no nutritional benefits over whole fruit, and suggests limiting the amount of juice to no more than 4 to 6 ounces per day.

As for limiting your child’s exposure to heavy metals in other baby foods? It’s all about variation. And if you’ve relied on any of these foods to feed your little one, don’t panic. “The issue is a chronic exposure issue, not an acute exposure issue,” Chief Scientific Officer for Consumer Reports, James H Dickerson, previously explained to Motherly. Start by swapping out foods that are likely the highest sources of heavy metals, but know that your best bet is serving a wide variety of fruits and vegetables daily to avoid accidental contamination due to overexposure of the same few foods.

“Our recommendation is for balance, balance, balance,” says Dickerson. “What that means is that you should feed your children a balance of grains, a balance of fruits and vegetables, a balance of proteins.”