"Arsenic" news and stories

Pediatric dentists have long told parents that drinking apple juice rots kids teeth. Now there is a new study that should cause more concern for parents who serve up endless sippy cups of apple juice to thirsty toddlers.

According to an independent study released by the St. Petersburg Times newspaper, apple juice contains high levels of arsenic.

That's right you read it right. Arsenic. The stuff they use in TMC movies when they want to poison someone. (Think Cary Grant's elderly murderous aunts in 'Arsenic and Old Lace').

A few years ago the government lowered the limit of arsenic in drinking water but somehow the FDA overlooked or forgot to place limits on fruit juices. They have told companies that 23 ppb (parts per billion) is a 'level of concern' but the newspaper's study found that more than 25% of the 18 samples tested contained between 25 and 35 ppb of arsenic which is way more than a 'level of concern.' (Don't you just love the bureaucratic terminology?)

Canadian officials have issued a recall on pear juice because it might contain...arsenic??

The juice being recalled is President's Choice Pear Juice From Concentrate for Toddlers (one liter) as well as Beech Nut Pear Juice From Concentrate with Vitamin C (128 ml). The juices were imported from the United States and sold in Loblaws supermarkets.

Officials say that the possible contamination is rather small so it looks like an accident. No illnesses have been reported yet.