The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a draft guidance regarding action levels for lead in single-strength, ready-to-drink apple juice, as well as other juices and juice blends. FDA’s efforts to limit lead in juice supports the agency’s Closer to Zero action plan, which describes the FDA’s science-based approach to reducing exposure to toxic elements in foods.

The guidance, Action Levels for Lead in Juice; Draft Guidance for Industry, sets the action level for lead in apple juice at 10 parts per billion (ppb). This is lower than the action level for lead in other juices, which is 20 ppb, as apple juice is the most commonly consumed juice by young children and may contribute to lead exposure in children more than other juices. FDA prioritized lead in its guidance because it is linked to damaging effects on the developing brain. FDA estimates that a 10-ppb action level for lead in apple juice could reduce children’s lead exposure from apple juice by 46 percent. For all other juices, FDA estimates that a 20-ppb action level will reduce children’s lead exposure from juice by 19 percent.