Testing by a local consumer group has found elevated levels of arsenic in Mott’s apple juice, renewing calls by a food safety group for tighter standards on imported foods.
The Rochester-based Empire State Consumer Project arranged for laboratory analysis of five brands each of apple juice and apple sauce, including Wegmans brands.
No arsenic was detected in any of the samples except for Mott’s juice — but it contained more than five times the level of arsenic allowed in drinking water.
Judy Braiman, head of the consumer project, said Mott’s, like some other juice makers, uses apple concentrate from China in its products. Arsenic-based pesticides, no longer applied to apples in this country, are still used in Chinese orchards, she said, and the toxic metal can find its way into apple products.
Coincidentally, a spokeswoman for Wegmans Food Markets Inc. said Thursday the company has phased out use of Chinese concentrate in its house brand of apple sauce and apple juice.
“We recognize that for consumers and for us, some countries pose more of a concern than others in terms of their food safety system. One such country is China,” Jo Natale said. “It’s not because that we ourselves have experienced a problem. It is because there are concerns.”
Natale said the decision to change to new sources was made before the consumer group did its testing. Labels are being changed now to reflect the current sources of apple concentrate, Argentina and Chile.
The company is still working on non-China sources for Wegmans-brand canned mandarin oranges and mushrooms.
The Empire consumer group’s findings are consistent with testing of nine boxed apple juices last year by the St. Petersburg Times newspaper, which found Mott’s to have the highest arsenic levels.
Mott’s has a major apple sauce, apple juice and apple concentration plant in Williamson, Wayne County.
The Times’ testing found 35 parts per billion of arsenic in Mott’s juice. Braiman’s testing found 55 ppb.
The drinking water standard for arsenic is 10 ppb. But the U.S. Food & Drug Administration has not set standards for arsenic in juice. An FDA spokeswoman, Stephanie Yao, said more study was needed before arsenic guidelines could be considered.
Food & Water Watch, the Washington, D.C., advocacy group that released Braiman’s findings Thursday, said they underscore the need to more carefully screen and regulate food from overseas, especially China. In a report last year, the group said the FDA inspected only a small fraction of imports.
Chris Barnes, a spokesman for Mott’s parent company, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, said the company took food safety seriously and was in compliance with all FDA guidelines. He also said the company had no access to the testing done by the consumer group and could not vouch for its findings.
Barnes said he did not know what amount of Chinese concentrate, if any, was used in the juice that was tested. Braiman said the bottle whose contents were sampled had said the juice might contain concentrate from China or Argentina.
Source:DemocratandChronicle.com
Editor’s note: This has been the most popular blog in the past month. It has touched consumers in a personal level. From Dr. Oz to the midwestern stay-at-home mom, everyone has an opinion about apple juice.
Romane Canty
June 18, 2020
I found a piece of plastic in a jar of Motts Apple Sauce with chunks of apples. After removing the plastic, I smelled it and it smelled very toxic and chemical. Without thinking, I threw the jar in the trash. I purchased this applesauce in Silver Spring, MD two weeks ago at Giant food in white oak Maryland, on 06/08/20.
George E. Doughty
November 29, 2015
No expiration date on plastic bottle or cap; no date when contents (Apple Juice) processed at Plano, TX; in less than one week taste like cider with the left top on container blew open when container shakened…. More info as to source of apples used (not China, I hope)….list possible consequences of use…my storage unit kept at 37 degrees fahrenheit …respectfully, G Doughty/doughtyg1@hotmail.com
margo joyce
August 17, 2015
The United States agrees to boost China’s economy no matter what price we have to pay.
CJ
March 22, 2014
Never thought anything about the USA/CHINA on the motts apple juice bottle. I love the drink and do not like fresh fruit so thought I was doing my body some good by drinking the juice. The trick is on me! I’ve been drinking arsenic! NO MORE!
Carlos
July 13, 2013
We need to go back to basics and push for prodcuts made in the USA again!!!!!
Go back to the times when the rest of the world knew the quality of USA made products and respected the U.S. for that!!!
Enough of importing useless and dangerous junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jobs for the USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joyce
July 15, 2013
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joyce
July 12, 2013
Just went to my fridge and sure enough, right on the lid it said: concentrate from USA/China. Even 2 years later after this started!
Joyce
July 12, 2013
Motts, shame on you! I have always bought only your brand of apple juice and sauce, but you will never cross my threshold again!
Jim
June 21, 2013
SAD… I was just drinking a bottle of Mott’s apple juice today (6-21-13), and it said the juice was from China and the USA. I’m no longer buying Mott’s apple Juice
Ginny Hanson
May 5, 2012
I buy the 64 oz. of Mott’s apple juice. I read in a book from my library that to put off Alzheimer’s disease you should drink 5 oz. of apple juice and 5 oz. of red wine. My mother had Alzheimer’s and I will do ANYTHING to prevent it!!!
gary
February 3, 2012
This has NOTHING to do with China, there are certain amounts of arsenic in the soil, and yes the US soil also, as for the “Surprised to find out Wegmans had China stamped on apple concentrate” wake up and do some research, Chine produces over 70% of the Apple concentrate that is used for juice worldwide, most of the apple grown in the US are used for the Fresh Market, this is just a fact of life, if you want Apple juice more than likely its coming from China!
David
January 31, 2012
This is unfortunate, but it’s a sad reality about the food industry. Some of our fruits and vegetables are grown and imported from foreign countries that still use banned pesticides. Food companies know this but don’t do anything because they want to make a profit from cheap produce and farm labor available in other countries. The horrible thing is that we don’t know what kinds of pesticides are used to grow the produce in other countries because of the lack of regulation over there.
It would be good if we had legislation that forces food companies to disclose where they get their produce from to make juices and other food products. This would at least tell us whether a food is made with ingredients from a country that has poor regulation of pesticide use. There should also be better testing and regulation of the chemicals that are in food, preferably conducted by the FDA or other independent organization.
Raynell Simon
June 18, 2020
I agree we should have better regulation and better legislation enforcement especially when it comes to our food, but unfortunately the people in the U.S., in high places don’t give a shit about nothing but profit and their pockets. We as the people need to protest more on Capital Hill, and stop buying all of their processed imported poisons that they call food.
macnmic
January 16, 2012
Shocked to find “made in China” stamped on my Wegman’s brand frozen apple juice concentrate today (January 16, 2012), I began Googling “food made in China”. Clearly, Wegman’s has not made a change since this investigation went public, and I am extremely disappointed. It really didn’t occur to me that I had to check every fine detail of the label to make sure my food came from the US or another well-governed country. Naive as I am, sadly, I had trust in Wegman’s and their store brand. But no more.
Suzanne
January 2, 2012
I’m glad people are investigating the arsenic in our foods and juices. I back Dr. Oz and appreciate the flack he took from people in order to bring this to light.
Former Cook
December 17, 2011
One gallon of American concentrate and 99 gallons China= American Apple Juice!
rebekah
December 9, 2011
Now that we have been told that there are extreme levels of arsneic in our childrens juices can we be told if there is an amount that they can drink before its unhealthy for them? I have looked everywhere for a certain amount that can be drank before it harming the body and i can not find an answer! i hope i get the answer im lookin for here?
Mandolin
December 7, 2011
Made in the USA just means that… MADE here. Not necessarily with ingredients of products from here. Just a little info for you USA shoppers.
margarita
December 5, 2011
As a parent of nine for years I’ve trusted Motts apple juice and apple sauce as the best for my children only to be disappointed to hear about it containing high levels of arsenic………how can we trust a company that sells juice that is unhealthy for our children…I am highly upset and disappointed.who are we supposed to trust when we are the cunsumers,customers,and parents.we trust you as a well known company and supplier……how sad this is.
cherrika s thomas
November 30, 2011
this is so sad I would like to know the symptoms
Becky
September 26, 2011
This is more positive confirmation for me as to why my family just planted a holistic apple orchard here in the midwest. Buy local, grow as much of your own food as possible, then you know where it comes from. This kinda stuff will only get worse. Our plan is to produce healthy, organically grown apple at a fair price to help feed our community and family. A heath tip…eat food as close to how God created it as possible and know where it comes from. It may take more time in preparing it, but you and your family are worth it!
Barbara Bardram
September 24, 2011
Albertson’s is selling Mott’s applesauce for $1 this week and I bought it. When I looked at the label it says “Product of USA”. Wondering if I should keep it or not though.
However I had a large bottle of Albertson’s brand apple juice in my pantry and checked — it said China. I’m definitely returning that one.
goober
September 19, 2011
you should not buy ANYTHING from China! They treat people like shit and take our jobs. This is just another example of trying to kill the “white devil” they think of us as. Do not pay yankee dollars for Chinese quality (none) because the department store offers it. This will benefit none. Vote with your purse.
Kristine
September 19, 2011
Martinelli’s apple juice and cider are 100% pure juice from U.S. grown fresh apples, not from concentrate, with no additives of any kind. It is also pasteurized. This is the only apple juice I have found that claims this. It costs more than other juices but I want to know what my child is drinking.
I also feel if the U.S. Food & Drug Administration said, “Yes the arsenic levels include organic and inorganic… OUR DATA STATES the level of inorganic arsenic in the following companies Dr. Oz mentioned is this…” Instead they gave this generic reply about organic and inorganic arsenic levels and how Dr. Oz had false information b/c you can’t group them together. So where is their data? Who is checking the millions of barrels of apple juice concentrate coming into the US? Each barrel needs to be checked because not all farms are created equal nor using the same water supply!
This is why AMERICA NEEDS TO GROW/RAISE OUR OWN FOOD. STOP IMPORTING PRODUCE THAT AMERICAN FARMERS ARE GROWING/RAISING!! The only power we have to verify that the food we feed our families meet our standards is by buying US products. Unfortunately the government believes importing is better for political ties with the various countries – Personally I’m not worried about the politics, I just want safe, clean food.
Linda Lowery
September 17, 2011
All apple seeds have arsenic in them. Drinking water has arsenic in it and so does the air. Yes on Motts apple sauce too. Rocks and soil have arsenic in them so do alot of things. The thing we need to look for is how much is in these products and things. It doesn’t matter what country we get apples from there is still arsenic in the seeds. There is also arsenic in the pits of Cherrys and Apricots. Heavens knows what we will find arsenic in.
bj bower
September 17, 2011
I think Dr. Oz is being highly paid for some of the crap he introduces on his show. I would only listen to my child’s pediatrician, and the feedback from the FDA. For years it has been commonplace to bad mouth certain foods and beverages. Most of it is a lot of hooey. Then they turn around and say you should eat/drink the very items they bad mouthed.
humminbyrd
September 15, 2011
Wow! I’m totally blown away by this news. I’m just now hearing about it. I’ve been buying Mott’s products for many many years. My son has been drinking this brand from childhood to his present 20 yrs. of age. I had my grand daughter consuming it too!. Mott’s SHAME ON YOU!
Theresa
September 15, 2011
Okay…so Dr. Oz is getting ripped over his “false” accusations…FDA is embarrassed is my thoughts as they just cleaned up pear juice! MOTTS apple juice as a kid it used to make me throw up and get a head ache…hmmmm, do I have a claim as I used to drink it like water? Stuff that in your…. MOTT’s! Who got paid off in the FDA? Where is our quality control? Why are we NOT using apples in America where our people need jobs? SHAME ON YOU MOTT’s! IDidn’t we have our pets dying for using processed foods in China? Now we are poisoning our children? WRITE your congressman!
So, if you see children coming through the E.R. and have no way of knowing why the kids’ liver and kidneys are failing, check for arsenic poisoning…ask them if they drink apple juice and how much. I am sure Mott’s will try to dump their product on Indian Reservations…MOTT”S purchase your Apples in America or Canada where there are regulations.
AMAZING!
kerri
September 15, 2011
does anyone know if my child is safe drinking Motts for totts apple juice. someone please respond back ASAP!!!!!
So overmotts
September 15, 2011
I just returned all my Motts apple juice to Costco! Next to the Motts, their is a Costco brand Kirkland apple juice. Normaly, I would stay away “store brand” but Costco apple juice clearly states on the FRONT of the label ” 100 percent apples grown in the United States.
That was good enought for me.
This juice is a little more expensive than Motts, but you pay for what you get. Kirkland juice tasted crisper and les tart than the Motts.
Marty
September 15, 2011
and Ron Paul wants no gov. regulations no FDA no consumer agency. Just let the market forces correct problems: what market foces is he talking about? poisoning our children?
flo
September 15, 2011
this is so crazy i’ve been buying this dam motts apples juice for the longest and now there telling us that it has arsenic in it what do we do now are my kids safe or what omg.
Laura
September 15, 2011
Why are we trusting China anyhow to make products we are exposed to?
Briana J. Tuggle
September 14, 2011
WHAT THE HELL REALLY THIS IS SCREWED UP MY KIDS DRINK THIS SHITIT NEEDS TO GO THIS IS TERRIBLE ENDANGERING CHILDREN …..
cb-atl
September 14, 2011
I’ve always bought Motts gallon containers instead of store brand because theirs were labeled concentrate from USA, where others would say concentrate from China. I thought I was being vigilant and now I don’t know what to believe. Is this juice boxes, gallon containers, or all of their products? My daughter drinks a ton of apple juice; I’m really upset.
Alicia
September 14, 2011
Is it in Motts apple sauce too?!
albarrs
September 13, 2011
Anyone know what is the personal danger of anyone who has used Mott’s concentrate apple juice? How much would one have to consume to cause health problems?
Amanda
July 27, 2011
Buy US Grown! Every thing is grown in the united states, NOT china and other countries!!!! Usgrown.com Help support the farmers that don’t use Arsenic or any harmful sprays on the fruit and vegetables you, your families and, your friends eat! Usgrown.com
mjfdkbf
July 22, 2011
Buy apple juice in the autumn from local orchards. Don’t buy from corporations. They will import ingredients whenever it suits them with total disregard for the consumer. Better yet, buy locally whenever possible. Know your sources.
mowalker
July 22, 2011
It is terrible that a food company, who probably wants consumers into the future years, is so callused about the chemicals on food they buy, process, and hope to sell.
At this rate, who will be alive in 50 years? Or certainly not impaired? Is this some of what occurs to create autism, alzheimer’s and ADHD?
I like food, but I want wholesome food, and esp. for the grandkids!