FDA 2011 — Arsenic in apple juice: analytical results 2005–2011
From 2005 to 2011, FDA analyzed 160 samples of apple juice and apple juice concentrate under the Toxic Elements Food and Foodware Program for total arsenic, with speciation results posted December 16, 2011 for a subset. Concentrate samples were converted to single-strength equivalent using a dilution conversion calculation. The dataset (updated December 16, 2011) reports individual sample-level total arsenic concentrations by fiscal year, product type (juice vs concentrate), and country of origin, with speciation data for a subset. Individual sample results range from ND to 45 ppb (single-strength equivalent) for domestic apple juice, with concentrate samples showing higher original concentrations that reduce substantially upon reconstitution. The data informed FDA’s subsequent action level consideration for apple juice arsenic.
Key numbers
Selected total arsenic results at single-strength equivalent (ppb = µg/kg):
- Most US apple juice samples: ND or 1–27 ppb range
- Two US apple juice outliers: 42 ppb (FY-08, sample 464616) and 45 ppb (FY-08, sample 410772)
- China concentrate samples at single-strength equivalent: mostly 1–12 ppb after reconstitution conversion
- Turkey concentrate samples at single-strength equivalent: range from ND to 45 ppb (FY-08 sample 462816) and 39 ppb (FY-10 sample 594202)
- Turkey FY-10 concentrate (sample 594202): original 236 ppb, single-strength equivalent 39 ppb
- China FY-10 concentrate (sample 594594): original 178 ppb, single-strength equivalent 29 ppb
- Argentina, Chile, South Africa: ND or low single-digit ppb
- Speciation results for a subset posted December 16, 2011 (speciation link in original document)
Full sample-level data: 160 individual rows, organized by sample number, product description (apple juice vs apple juice concentrate), fiscal year (FY-05 through FY-11), country of origin, original concentration, and single-strength equivalent concentration.
Methods (brief)
Total arsenic by unspecified IDA/ICPMS method consistent with FDA’s Toxic Elements Food and Foodware Program (CPGM 7304.019). For apple juice concentrate, original total arsenic concentration converted to single-strength equivalent using a conversion calculation. Speciation analysis performed for a subset; method not detailed in this document (referenced as a separate speciation results posting). Data are as-sold, wet-weight basis. 160 samples collected FY-05 through FY-11 across multiple countries of origin (US, China, Turkey, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Mexico).
Limitations
Total arsenic only in the primary data table; speciation results are in a separate linked document not fully reproduced here. The concentrate-to-single-strength conversion introduces uncertainty not quantified in this dataset. FDA does not have an established action level for arsenic in apple juice at the time of this posting (December 2011); subsequent FDA guidance has set 10 ppb iAs as a draft action level for apple juice. The dataset covers FY-05 to FY-11 and predates FDA’s Closer to Zero initiative; more recent surveillance data exists in separate FDA reports.
Implications
- Certification: This dataset was the primary basis for FDA’s proposed 10 ppb iAs action level for apple juice. Relevant for any HMT&C consideration of juice products. Important distinction: these are total arsenic results; the regulatory action level that followed was set in terms of inorganic arsenic.
- Courses: Classic regulatory-surveillance dataset illustrating the difference between total As in concentrate vs single-strength equivalent, and the country-of-origin variance in apple juice arsenic levels.
- App: Note only — contamination_profile for apple-juice. This is total arsenic; iAs fraction for apple juice is generally low (organic As dominates in apple juice).
- Microbiome: Not applicable.