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According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, the levels of arsenic in apple juice sold in the U.S. is of concern. In studies conducted by an independent lab contracted by Dr. Oz, the results indicated that 10 of the 30+ juice samples tested had higher arsenic levels than allowed in drinking water, which is 10 parts per billion. The FDA does not view the findings the same way saying, “tests do not indicate that apple juice contains unsafe amounts of arsenic” and that “it would be irresponsible and misleading for the Dr. Oz show to suggest that apple juice is unsafe based on tests for total arsenic.” Obviously, the Juice Products Association, which represents the juice companies, stands firmly in the corner of the FDA.
Arsenic is toxic and known to cause cancer, as well as other serious health problems, so the allegations leveled by Dr. Oz should be deemed serious.
Arsenic is an element that can be found naturally in rocks, soil, water, air, plants and animals. Arsenic can be found in its pure form, but is more commonly found as part of chemical compounds, which can be divided into organic (combined with carbon and other atoms) or inorganic (combined with oxygen, iron, chlorine, and sulfur). Inorganic compounds are more toxic and linked to cancer, while organic compounds are less toxic and have not yet been linked to cancer. Inorganic compounds are by-products of industry, such as in some glass manufacturing, preservatives in pressure treated lumber and animal hides, in pesticides and other manufactured products as well.
Dr. Oz claims that the high levels of arsenic found in the samples he had tested are the result of apples imported from countries that still permit the use of arsenic as a pesticide. The U.S. outlawed the use of arsenic in pesticides in the early 1990s. However, 60% of the apple concentrate used to make apple juice in the United States is imported from China, which still permits the use of arsenic in pesticides.
The controversy is ongoing, but appears to now boil down to whether the high levels of arsenic found are the result of inorganic or organic arsenic. The FDA claims that organic arsenic is naturally found in apples and that the tests conducted on behalf of Dr. Oz did not separate the two compounds and only determined the total arsenic in the samples. Dr. Oz counters that when the FDA issued a “level of concern” in 2008 for high arsenic levels in pear juice (23 ppb), the FDA tested total arsenic as well.
We will have to see how the controversy unfolds in the weeks ahead, but if nothing else, Dr. Oz does bring to light the fact that the U.S. still imports large quantities of food from other countries that may not have the same rigorous standards the U.S. has. Furthermore, with the current regulations that are in place, the source of the ingredients can be hidden from consumers so that they believe they are buying American food products when in reality a high percentage of the ingredients sourced to make those products may be from countries such as China. Therefore, I would reiterate Dr. Oz’s proclamation to only buy products sourced from organic American farms.
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