U.S. FDA proposes arsenic limit in apple juice

[BlueToTheBone]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/12/us-fda-applejuice-idUSBRE96B0ED20130712

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, after decades of consideration, has proposed limiting the amount of inorganic arsenic in apple juice to the same level of the potential cancer-causing chemical allowed in U.S. drinking water.

Although the vast majority of apple juice that has been tested by the FDA over the years has contained low levels of inorganic arsenic that were considered safe, the FDA has been wrestling whether to set limits because of the cancer risk.

The agency on Friday proposed a limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic in apple juice, the level set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for arsenic in drinking water. (link.reuters.com/jac69t)

"This action level will keep any apple juice that may have more inorganic arsenic than that out of the marketplace," Michael Taylor, the FDA's deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, said in a blog post.
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I had no idea that they put arsenic in apple juice. Yikes.

[krispos42]

1. Wait wait wait wait wait wait wait

You mean to tell me there ISN'T a regulation on the amount of arsenic in Apple juice right now?

[BlueToTheBone]

5. That is what I said!

I'm trying to understand the "need" for arsenic and can't wrap my brain around it.

[niyad]

2. "after DECADES of consideration"?????? are they F****** kiddiing?

can someone here explain to me why they had to "CONSIDER" limiting ARSENIC? is there a difference between organic and inorganic arsenic? or are we completely in bizarro world?

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. "difference between organic and inorganic arsenic?"

Apparently there is.
I was reading about the amounts of arsenic in RICE!
Seems rice grown in Louisiana picks up arsenic from water contamination but rice grown in Cal. does not.

The FDA has a habit of "regulating" dangeruos chemcials by increasing permitted levels.
There is no law that says anything above ZERO levels is banned.

[BlueJazz]

3. Boy..The marketing would be weird: New "Valley Farms" Apple Juice now contains LESS Arsenic !!!!