FDA finds high levels of arsenic in apple juice sample from one of the largest privately held wholesale juice manufacturing plants in the nation

[Emily]

Evan Bush

[h=1]Arsenic found in apple juice from Yakima Valley processor[/h] Originally published June 24, 2016 at 2:40 pm Updated June 24, 2016 at 6:19 pm




The Food and Drug Administration found high levels of arsenic ? nearly nine times the allowed limit ? in a sample of apple juice concentrate taken from a Sunnyside juice processor. The agency also faulted the company for storing apples outdoors for months at a time.
A Sunnyside, Yakima County, fruit-juice processor has been warned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) after the agency found high levels of inorganic arsenic in samples of apple juice concentrate. In its warning letter to Valley Processing, the FDA also criticized the company for allegedly storing apples outside for months in open bins, which could allow mold to grow.
A sample of apple juice concentrate tested by the FDA had arsenic levels nearly nine times the agency?s limit of 10 parts per billion.
?Inorganic arsenic is a toxic substance and prolonged exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic is associated with cancer, skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity, and diabetes in humans,? the agency wrote to the company.
Children are more susceptible to arsenic?s effects, said professor Luke LaBorde, a food-safety specialist at Penn State University who has trained apple producers and processors.
LaBorde said the arsenic likely came from apples picked at an older orchard.
?Inorganic (arsenic) is usually associated with historical use of pesticides many years ago,? LaBorde said. ?Inorganic (arsenic) will not generally degrade with time. It just sort of stays there. If someone is using an old orchard, it?s possible it could stay in the soil.?...
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The FDA also shared concern over the company?s storage practices, which it said could increase the likelihood of patulin growth. Patulin is a toxin produced by mold...
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An FDA inspection also discovered Valley Processing would mix batches of juice to dilute patulin levels.
?This is not an acceptable means of addressing the hazard of patulin,? the agency wrote.
The FDA said Valley Processing needs to physically sort out rotten, moldy, bruised and damaged apples before production.

The warning letter comes as the FDA shows increasing attention toward arsenic...

Environmental arsenic may have been linked to the emergence of pH1N1:
https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum...n-hazard-arsenic-alters-h1n1-response-in-mice

 

[sharon sanders]

FDA link here.