Consumer Reports (CR) tested 45 popular fruit juices and found alarming levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead in almost half of them. This should be especially concerning to parents of small children. According to a recent CR survey, more than 80% of parents with children ages 3 and younger give their kids fruit juice at least sometimes. In 74% of those cases, kids drink juice once a day or more, according to CR. Children are especially at risk to the harmful effects of heavy metals. Over exposure may result in lower IQ, behavioral problems, type 2 diabetes, and cancer, among other complications. Adults are also at risk with prolonged exposure.
The following juices were found to be the worst and pose a risk to a child who drinks more than one box or pouch per day:
- Trader Joe’s Apple Juice
- Minute Maid 100% Apple Juice
- Juicy Juice 100% Juice, Fruit Punch
- Minute Maid 100% Juice, Fruit Punch
- Mott’s 100% Juice, Apple White Grape
For more information, download a PDF of CR’s test protocol for heavy metals in fruit juices.
