Lead in Kids Drinks?
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Lead in apple juice has been reported
NPR reported this week that the California environmental group, ELF (the Environmental Law Foundation), found amounts of lead in juice: including bottled, juice boxes and packaged fruit. They have published the list of products that exceed California state’s (and sometimes federal limits) of lead for children.
The reporter, Sarah Varney of NPR San Fran station said, “The tests were particularly troubling because the levels were calculated on a single serving, not the multiple juices and packaged fruits that an average five-year-old might consume in a given day. And there’s no questioning the potency of the substance involved. Lead has long been known to cause physical and mental developmental problems. The products tested range from nationally recognized brands to more niche market favorites, but the results were troubling across the board. A single serving of Raley’s private-labeled premium apple juice, Santa Cruz Organic Concord Grape Juice and Dole Pear Halves each contain levels of lead beyond what federal regulators consider safe. (ELF) has sent notices of suspected violations of state law to California’s attorney general, Jerry Brown.
ELF published the list of products that exceeded the Prop 65 limit of .5 micrograms of lead per serving and those that did not exceed it.
Our beloved Trader Joe’s Organic Apple Juice, Earth’s Best Organics Apple Juice, Welch’s Grape Juice made the “bad” list. Strangely enough, Trader Joe’s Fresh Pressed Apple Juice (while their organic was not) and Dole Diced Peaches, Cling in Light Syrup were fine. To see the full list go here.
Where do you think the lead is coming from? The packaging, the pesticides, the manufacturing? It’s totally perplexing and infuriating!
I don’t buy juice for my kids at all. When I was young, the juice was not invented. We were healthy, strong and happy. I don’t know why people buy them like juice and fast food. “No time” is the biggest excuse and lie to yourself. I make “lemonade” for my kids and they love it. Just lemon and honey. Everybody can do it. There are tons of fresh fruits you can choose for your family. If you don’t serve your family bought juice, after a while they won’t even think about it.
the benefits of “don’t drink juice”
save money
save energy
save our planet
most importantly, save your life.
you never know that when you are enjoying the taste of your favorite juice, actually maybe you are drinking poison.
That’s what I wonder too. It seems more likely that it’s a packaging issue.
Here is a comment from one of the Facebook readers which I thought was interesting:
“Ok I just read the article and I am so outraged by this. You think China is the culprit? 50% of our apple juice is imported from there.”
Wow! Thanks for posting this and for keeping us up on what’s causing it if you find that out. I find it so odd that some brands are on both side of the fence and wonder if it’s packaging more than the fruit?
unbelievably helpful! THank you!