FDA Bombshell! LEAD Lurking in Your DRINK?!
Tell me you wouldn’t be concerned if you saw THIS headline…
Draft Guidance for Industry: Action Levels for Lead in Juice
Seems outrageous, but that’s exactly what a recent announcement from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration said.
In a nutshell, the FDA is openly issuing “guidance” to the food and beverage industry on how to limit the amount of LEAD in juices.
Is that seriously something the industry needs GUIDANCE on?
Evidently!
So, today I’m going to give you the scoop on this dumbfounded announcement, what it means for you, and what you can do if there’s juice in your fridge.
Let’s take a look.
Here’s the gist of the FDA’s latest guidance around lead levels in juice…
The newest guidelines suggest limits of 10 parts per billion for lead in apple juice sold as “single-strength” (also known as ready-to-drink juice). In addition, it suggests limits of 20 parts per billion for all other single-strength juices – including juice blends that contain apple juice.
While the guidance is centered around apple juice (or blends), it certainly gives you pause as to what might be lurking in other juices!
It’s also part of a larger initiative called the Closer to Zero action plan.
This was created in April 2021 to identify actions the FDA could take to reduce exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury in foods. (YIKES!)
It’s sad – but true.
The reality is, there may be levels of lead in the juice you’re drinking. And it’s taking a government task force to regulate it!
But you don’t need to rely on that.
Potential lead levels aside, there’s plenty of reasons to steer clear of processed juices and juice blends.
First of all, the majority of them are chock-full of added sugars. (A small, eight-ounce glass of apple juice contains a whopping 24 grams of sugar! Cavities anyone?)
Second, many juices say they contain vitamins, minerals, and even calcium.
Sure, they’re added in after-the-fact. But with all that added sugar, there’s a better way to get your vitamins and minerals.
Stick with a daily multivitamin, and only eat the real fruit. This will ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need WITHOUT the unhealthy sugars.
To exposing mysterious food labels,
Sarah Reagan
Sources:
Crist, Carolyn. “FDA Suggests Limits to Lead in Juices.” 4/28/22. https://www.webmd.com/children/news/20220428/fda-suggests-limits-lead-juices
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. “Draft Guidance for Industry: Action Levels for Lead in Juice.” 4/22. https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/draft-guidance-industry-action-levels-lead-juice
