Arsenic is called the “king of poisons and poison of kings” because of its historical use in assassinations.
Now Walmart has initiated a recall of apple juice in 25 states because it contains elevated levels of the toxin.
Apple season is upon us. Should you be worried?
“Apple juice can still be considered a safe beverage as long as it is consumed in moderation and meets legal standards for arsenic levels,” says Darin Detwiler, an associate professor at Northeastern University and food policy expert.
“However, I would advise consumers – especially children – to diversify their diet and not rely solely on apple juice or other beverages from a single source. A more varied fluid intake with water and other safe beverages will help reduce potential risks.”
As for a single apple, “I wouldn’t worry too much,” says Kimberly Garrett, an environmental toxicologist and postdoctoral fellow in Northeastern University’s PFAS Project Lab.
“The concentration of many apples can be used to make juices that also concentrate all the stubborn contaminants,” says Garrett. “Fresh apples are a healthy snack, so I wouldn’t discourage anyone from enjoying a few.”
What is arsenic and where does it come from?
Arsenic is a heavy metal that occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust, usually in organic form but also processed and used in various forms in industries such as metal manufacturing, chemical production and agriculture.
Garrett points out that both inorganic and organic arsenic are harmful to health, but inorganic arsenic – “the form used in famous crime novels” – is generally considered to be “more acutely toxic.”
Detwiler explains this in more detail.
“Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic is associated with a variety of health problems, including skin lesions, cardiovascular disease and an increased risk of cancer, such as skin, bladder and lung cancer,” he says. “In children, prolonged exposure can lead to developmental disorders, cognitive impairment and possible hormonal disorders.”
In addition, the risk is cumulative, meaning that health effects are more likely if arsenic intake is constant over a long period of time, notes Detwiler.
How much inorganic arsenic is allowed in apple juice?
The US Food and Drug Administration’s limit for inorganic arsenic in apple juice is 10 parts per billion. This means that each liter of apple juice must not contain more than 10 micrograms of the poison. The same limits also apply to products that contain apple juice, such as fruit mixes or fruit mix drinks, notes Detwiler.
The apple juice recalled by Walmart exceeded that limit, so the FDA classified the recall as more urgent, stating that the affected product could potentially cause temporary adverse health effects but was unlikely to cause serious or permanent health problems.
The recall affects 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice.
But just as arsenic accumulates in the body, it also persists in the environment.
“Unfortunately, because of its historical industrial use and environmental persistence, it is quite common in the environment,” says Garrett. “It can be difficult to remove from the soil, and it will not go away on its own; even if no arsenic-containing pesticides have been applied to farmland recently.”
How does arsenic get into fruit?
Although different plants react differently to arsenic, apple trees pull it out of the soil and it ends up in the fruit, Garrett says.
“We have seen repeated recalls because of arsenic in the fruit itself,” says Garrett. “It’s unfortunate that this keeps happening, and that’s why the FDA has recommended limits for arsenic specifically for apple products.”
Detwiler said several factors can contribute to arsenic making its way from soil to store shelves, including gaps in testing or inspections, inconsistent testing standards and procedures, international suppliers sourcing apples from countries with different agricultural practices and different legal standards for pesticide use and environmental protection, and a lack of leadership in the food industry.
“Ensuring food safety is not just about responding to current concerns, but about proactively protecting public health through science-based strategies, continuous monitoring and effective communication,” says Detwiler.
“It is critical to create a culture of food safety where transparency is paramount and companies and regulators work together to prevent contamination and minimize risks. This means investing in research to understand the pathways of contaminants like arsenic, implementing rigorous quality control measures and keeping consumers informed.”
