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Worry for Our Kids? Consumer Reports Study Backs Dr. Oz’s Claim About Arsenic in Apple Juice

Nov 30, 2011  •  Post A Comment

About two months after TV’s Dr. Mehmet Oz sounded the alarm about arsenic levels in apple juice — coming in for criticism over the report — Consumer Reports released the results of its own study that seems to confirm his warning, Fox News reports.

The Consumer Reports study found arsenic and lead levels in excess of federal drinking water standards in 10% of the fruit juices sampled, the story reports.

The story reports: “Consumer Reports tested 88 samples of apple and grape juice from stores in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Ten percent had arsenic levels more than the 10 parts per billion (ppb) limit and 25 percent had lead levels that exceeded the five ppb limit allowed for bottled water, as enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.”

The tested brands included Apple & Eve, Great Value, Mott’s, Walgreens and Welch’s, the story says.

Consumer Reports indicated that “the arsenic was inorganic, which means it’s a human carcinogen,” the story says.

Oz warned viewers of “The Dr. Oz Show” in September that some apple juice brands contain dangerous levels of arsenic. He said at the time that his team tested 50 brands and they all had high arsenic content.

The story adds: “The FDA was quick to contest the report, saying that all apple juice sold in stores is safe. The agency said the testing was inaccurate because Oz tested for both organic arsenic, which is not harmful, and also inorganic arsenic. The results of testing for both combined, according to the agency, led to the conclusion of levels being dangerously high.”

The FDA reportedly said in a letter to “The Dr. Oz Show”: “The FDA believes that it would be irresponsible and misleading for ‘The Dr. Oz Show’ to suggest that apple juice contains unsafe amounts of arsenic based solely on tests for total arsenic."

However, the Consumer Reports study seems to contradict the FDA’s conclusions.

According to the Fox News piece: “Consumer Reports looked at an analysis of a database spanning five years from the National Center for Health Statistics’ National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The analysis suggested that juices may contribute to dietary arsenic exposure, and according to mounting evidence, repeated exposure can lead to serious health issues.”

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