Recently, a new consumer report released the results of 45 tested popular juice brands, even organic ones, and found that almost half contained potentially harmful levels of arsenic, cadmium and lead.
Out of the 45 juices, 21 of the tested beverages, including apple, grape, pear, and blend flavors, contained elevated levels of metals that could harm a child’s development. In a separate study 80 percent of parents with children three-years-old or younger say that they give their children fruit juice at least once to twice a day.
“In some cases, drinking just 4 ounces a day—or half a cup—is enough to raise concern,” says James Dickerson, Ph.D., CR’s chief scientific officer in the report.
Depending on the length of exposure to toxins, children may be at risk for lowered IQ, behavioral problems, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and other issues.
The brands that were represented in the study are as follows: 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods), Apple & Eve, Big Win (Rite Aid), Capri Sun, Clover Valley (Dollar General), Great Value (Walmart), Gerber, Good2Grow, Gold Emblem (CVS), Goya, Honest Kids, Juicy Juice, Looza, Market Pantry (Target), Minute Maid, Mott’s, Nature’s Own, Ocean Spray, Old Orchard, R.W. Knudsen, Simply Balanced (Target), Trader Joe’s, Tree Top, and Welch’s.
To read more about this study, click here.
