An extensive investigation has recently been performed by The Dr. Oz Show, revealing that samples from five major apple juice brands contained high levels of arsenic. Now, the companies involved are stating the lab results are unreliable.As part of the investigation, The Dr. Oz Show tested three dozen samples from five different brands of apple juice across three different American cities, and compared the levels of arsenic to the standard for water.
Of these, lab results showed that 10 samples came back higher than the arsenic limit allowed in drinking water.
However, the five apple juice companies (Minute Maid, Apple & Eve, Mott’s, Juicy Juice, and Gerber) involved in the process are putting the aforementioned results under the question mark, underlining the fact that they do not comply with the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) standards.
The Dr. Oz Show used testing methodology for water, which is not the correct way to test fruit juice. Considering the fact that the show is a big hit worldwide, this could severely affect its credibility.
In fact, samples from the same lots have subsequently been tested by each company, and were below the allowable level for water. What’s more, it looks like it’s inaccurate to suggest that apple juice contains unsafe amounts of arsenic based solely on tests for a total arsenic.
Excerpts from the juice companies’ statements are listed below:
“Dr. Oz used a testing methodology that was designed for water, and not in compliance with specific US FDA testing procedures for fruit juice. Juice must be tested differently than water because it contains many more naturally occurring compounds and particles than water. Using the wrong test method can lead to very inaccurate results.” - Apple & Eve
“To communicate that such products are unsafe or that such products contain elevated levels of arsenic would simply be irresponsible, misleading, and unnecessarily and without basis alarm consumers.” - Gerber
“The results should not be interpreted as a fact. Subsequent FDA testing of the same lots of juice from one of the named brands, using the appropriate method for testing arsenic levels in juice, found significantly lower levels of arsenic, all well under any FDA level of concern.” - Juice Products Association
“We notified the show’s producer that their testing method was intended for testing water and waste water, and not for testing fruit juices; therefore, their results would be unreliable at best.” - Juicy Juice
“Recent media reports regarding the presence of arsenic in apple juice have been irresponsible and have needlessly alarmed consumers in the name of ratings. We want to make sure they have all the facts.” - Mott’s
Find us on Google+
