Overview

Fresh apples and apple-based products generally have very low levels of toxic heavy metals. Traces of metals like lead, arsenic, or cadmium can be present due to environmental factors, but regulatory standards and good farming practices help keep apples safe.^[1][2] Consumers (including parents, clinicians, and athletes) should understand why metals might appear in apples and how to minimize any potential exposure risks.

Why metals may be present in apples

Apples can pick up heavy metals from their environment. Metals occur naturally in soil and water and can be enhanced by human activities (past pesticide use, industrial pollution, etc.).^[3][4] Key pathways include:

Soil uptake: Apple trees may absorb metals like cadmium and nickel from contaminated soils via their roots.^[5] For example, cadmium from phosphate fertilizers or polluted soils can enter plant tissues.^[6] However, research shows that most heavy metals tend to stay in roots or leaves rather than the fruit flesh, limiting transfer to apples.^[7][8]Apples grown in moderately contaminated orchard soils had minimal arsenic and lead in the fruits despite higher levels in soil and leaves.^[9]

Historical orchard practices: Decades ago, lead-arsenate pesticides were used in apple orchards, leaving residues of lead and inorganic arsenic in some old orchard soils.^[10] This legacy can contribute to trace amounts of these metals in apples grown on such land. Modern orchards no longer use these compounds, and many older orchards have been remediated or replanted.

Air deposition and dust: Airborne contaminants (from vehicle exhaust, coal-burning, etc.) can settle on apple skins. Lead and mercury from air pollution or dust may adhere to the fruit surface.^[11] Rain and washing remove much of this, but trace amounts could remain on unwashed produce. Apples grown near industrial areas or busy roads might have slightly higher surface metal residues (e.g. lead from historical leaded gasoline fallout).^[12]

Water and irrigation: If irrigation water contains metals (e.g. arsenic or lead from groundwater or pipes), it can introduce contaminants. In general, food-grade water standards and soil filtration limit this pathway in commercial production.

Processing and packaging: Heavy metals can also come from food processing equipment or containers. For instance, apple juice or applesauce may pick up lead from old processing machinery (e.g. lead-soldered equipment, now largely phased out).^[13] Tin can leach into canned applesauce or apple pie filling if stored in tin-plated cans (especially if the can lining is damaged or the product is very acidic).^[14] Modern canning uses protective liners, but in the past, poorly coated cans sometimes led to elevated inorganic tin levels in canned fruits. Aluminum could theoretically migrate into apple juice stored in uncoated aluminum containers, and indeed a few cases of apple juice with higher aluminum (due to contact with aluminum surfaces) have been reported.^[15] These are exceptions; current manufacturing practices minimize such contamination.

Variability: The metal content in apples varies by geography and product form. Apples from regions with clean soil and air have extremely low metal levels, whereas those from heavily industrialized or historically contaminated areas may have higher (though still generally small) concentrations.^[16] Processing can concentrate any present metals: e.g. dried apples (low water content) or apple juice concentrate combine many apples, so a trace from each can accumulate in the final product. That said, a recent survey in Australia found 82% of apple juices and products had no detectable heavy metals at all, and all samples were below safety limits.^[17] Overall, apples are not a significant source of heavy metals in most diets – but they are monitored because they are widely consumed, including by children.

Metals Overview in Apples

Below is an overview of eight toxic heavy metals in fresh apples and common apple products (fresh, juice, canned, dried, powdered, infant puree). It summarizes why each metal can appear, in what chemical form, the strength of evidence for its occurrence in apples, and notes on how different product forms may influence levels.

Metal	Why it can appear in apples	Relevant form(s)	Evidence strength (with cited findings)	Notes on product forms
Lead (Pb)	Soil uptake (legacy lead-arsenate), airborne dust, older processing/cans	Inorganic Pb	High: detected in apples/juices globally [18][19]; most below limits, some exceed EU 0.1 mg/kg[20] ; FDA found some juices >10 ppb → tighter action level .[21]	Higher on peel; washing/peeling can reduce. Juices can aggregate lead from many apples/equipmen.[22] Infant purees have very low EU ML (0.02 mg/kg).[23]
Cadmium (Cd)	Soil uptake (fertilizer/industry); usually low unless soils elevated[24]	Inorganic Cd	Moderate: occasional low-level detection; most <0.02 mg/kg (EU limit)[25]; exceedances reported in polluted areas[26]; often non-detect in typical produce.[27]	Fresh usually low; drying/concentrates increase per-kg values (not necessarily per serving). No clear organic vs conventional difference.
Arsenic (As)	Soil/groundwater (As-rich aquifers); legacy arsenicals;[28] irrigation/processing water	Mainly inorganic As	Moderate: apples very low; treated-orchard juice <1 μg kg[29] ; some juices ~10–15 ppb iAs flagged[30] ; most now <3 ppb with outliers.[31] Limits: US iAs action level 10 ppb[32] ; EU iAs 0.02 mg/kg for juice/puree.[33]	Focus is juice/puree (aggregation + water). FDA 10 ppb iAs action level.[34] Fresh apples rarely near limits; washing/peeling removes soil residues.
Mercury (Hg)	Atmospheric deposition; limited plant translocation to fruit[35]	Inorganic Hg; not methylmercury	Limited: rarely detected; often below detection in surveys[36]; fruits accumulate far less than leafy greens/grains near sources.[37]	Fresh and typical products essentially non-detect[38] ; no meaningful differences across juice/puree.[39]
Nickel (Ni)	Natural soil element; higher with serpentine soils/industry fallout[40]; minor equipment contribution	Inorganic Ni	Limited: generally low; ~0.01–0.03 mg/kg reported; considered low-Ni fruit option for nickel allergy.[41]	Processing doesn’t materially change; drying raises per-kg. Modern canning/juicing doesn’t add meaningful Ni. Apples remain low-Ni vs high-Ni foods[42].
Tin (Sn)	From tin-plated cans (acidic apple products)[43]	Inorganic tin (Sn(II))	Moderate: canned apple samples detectable but low in survey[44]; historical failures >200 mg/kg when lacquers failed[45]; standards reduce risk (Codex ≤250 mg/kg[46] ; EU ≤200 mg/kg).	Relevant mainly to canned apples/applesauce/juice in metal cans; glass/pouch/plastic avoids tin. Avoid badly dented/swollen cans.
Aluminum (Al)	Trace from soil/dust; can be introduced by aluminum equipment/containers[47]	Inorganic Al	Limited: most fresh <1 mg kg; most juices <5 l, rare outliers 19–47 l linked to al contact[48] ; guideline example ≤8 mg/L for juice.[49]	Risk mainly from contact with uncoated Al in processing/storage.[50] Glass/plastic packaging avoids. Infant purees sometimes up to ~3 mg/kg.[51]
Chromium (Cr)	Natural soil trace uptake; industrial Cr(VI) usually reduced to Cr(III) in soil	Mainly Cr(III); Cr(VI) not typical in foods	Limited: typical 5–15 μg/kg (0.005–0.015 mg/kg)[52]; authorities consider dietary chromium mainly Cr(III) [28]; study mean 11 μg/kg, upper ~0.06 mg/kg [27].	Chromium in apples is Cr(III) and stable; drying concentrates slightly. Processing doesn’t generate Cr(VI). Contamination concerns mainly hypothetical in severely polluted soils.

Evidence strength legend: High = numerous studies or monitoring data consistently show the metal is present in apples (even if at low levels). Moderate = some data indicating occurrence, but usually low levels or infrequent detection. Limited = few studies or mostly non-detections, suggesting apples are not a significant source. In all cases above, “high” does not mean high concentration – it refers to confidence that the metal can be present (even at trace levels).

Regulations & Monitoring Snapshot (US and EU)

Both the U.S. and Europe strictly regulate heavy metals in foods, including apples and apple products, to protect consumers (especially children). Apples often fall under broader categories like fruits or fruit juices in these regulations:

Lead: The European Union sets very low maximum levels for lead in fruit. For apples (and most fruits) the EU limit is 0.10 mg/kg fresh weight.^[53] Apple juice has an even lower EU lead limit of 0.03 mg/kg (30 ppb), and infant apple purées must not exceed 0.02 mg/kg.^[54] The U.S. does not have a specific codified lead limit for apples, but in 2022 the FDA proposed action levels for lead in juices: 10 ppb for apple juice and 20 ppb for other juices.^[55] (This would replace the older 50 ppb guideline that aligned with Codex.^[56]) These FDA levels are part of the “Closer to Zero” initiative to continually push heavy metal content as low as feasible. For baby foods, in early 2023 FDA issued draft guidance of 10 ppb lead for fruit and veg baby foods (and 20 ppb for root veggie-based foods).^[57] Importantly, general compliance is high – recent testing by FDA and others shows most apple juices on the U.S. market already meet the 10 ppb lead target.^[58]

Cadmium: The EU’s maximum cadmium for fruits like apples is 0.020 mg/kg (20 ppb).^[59] This also applies to apple juice (20 ppb). The U.S. has no fruit-specific Cd limit, but it does regulate cadmium in bottled water and monitors dietary cadmium. Apples usually are far below the Cd limit, but these regulations ensure that any unusually high results (from, say, contaminated soil) would prevent those apples from sale. Codex Alimentarius (the international food standards body) similarly sets cadmium limits for some foods (e.g. cereals, vegetables) – for fruits, Codex has a 0.04 mg/kg limit in “tree fruits” like apples (Codex standards were recently updated and EU aligned to 0.02 mg/kg for most fruits).

Arsenic: Inorganic arsenic is the form regulated. The EU added a limit of 0.020 mg/kg inorganic As in fruit juices and in foods for infants (including apple juice/puree for babies).^[60] The U.S. FDA in June 2023 finalized an action level of 10 ppb for inorganic arsenic in apple juice^[61], matching the EPA drinking water standard. (Previously 50 ppb was the guide; 10 ppb is a five-fold tightening.) These moves were prompted by consumer group findings of arsenic in some juices. FDA’s ongoing monitoring shows the vast majority of apple juice now under even 3 ppb, but the 10 ppb level allows FDA to take action on outliers.^[62] For solid apples, there’s no separate arsenic limit because levels are extremely low; general food safety laws cover any gross contamination. Additionally, some U.S. states (and companies) have internal standards ensuring baby foods have minimal arsenic.

Mercury: There are no specific regulatory limits for mercury in apples or juices – simply because mercury in fruits is not a recognized issue. EU and Codex limit mercury in fish (e.g. 0.5–1 mg/kg in seafood) but not in produce, and mercury is not included in EU’s fruit contaminant limits. The FDA’s “Closer to Zero” plan does encompass mercury for baby foods, but mainly focuses on fish and grain products. In practice, apple products consistently show no detectable mercury.^[63] Regulators continue to include apples in periodic total diet studies to confirm mercury isn’t creeping in; results to date affirm apples contribute negligible mercury to the diet.

Nickel: Nickel has been unregulated in foods until recently. Due to findings of possible health concerns in sensitive consumers, the EU in 2024 adopted new nickel maximum levels for certain food groups (effective 2025).^[64] These focus on high-nickel items like chocolate, legumes, and nuts. Fresh fruits like apples are not designated with a specific Ni limit in the EU – their Ni content is naturally low. The U.S. has no food Ni limits, though EFSA (Europe) and the U.S. ATSDR have set health guidelines for daily nickel intake. Apple products seldom if ever approach concerning nickel levels, so regulatory action hasn’t targeted them.

Tin: Inorganic tin in canned foods has long had limits to prevent acute effects. The EU limit for tin is 200 mg/kg in canned fruits (and 50 mg/kg in canned infant foods). Codex limits tin at 250 mg/kg in canned foods and 150 mg/kg in canned beverages.^[65] The U.S. has guidance but no fixed rule; however, levels above ~250 mg/kg are considered adulterated (and in practice, industry adheres to similar limits). These limits are quite high compared to typical tin levels – they guard against gross can corrosion incidents. Apple sauce, pie fillings, or juices in cans are well below these cut-offs in modern production. For example, Australia’s survey found canned apple products contained tin but all were far under 200 mg/kg.^[66]Enforcement: if a canned apple product were found with tin above the limit, it could not be sold. Consumers are also advised not to consume foods from bulging or heavily dented cans, partly to avoid the possibility of metal contamination.

Aluminum: Neither the EU nor USFDA has specific aluminum limits for apples or juices. There are general intake guidelines (e.g. the FAO/WHO provisional tolerable weekly intake for aluminum is 2 mg/kg body weight). Germany and some countries advise that fruit juices not exceed 8 mg/L aluminum for quality/safety.^[67] No violations in apple products have been noted. Industry practices (using lined aluminum cans or alternative packaging) keep aluminum in apple products very low. Overall, regulators focus on aluminum in processed foods with additives (baking powders, etc.), not whole fruits.

Chromium: No set limits in apples. Chromium in food is monitored through total diet studies. EFSA concluded that chromium in typical diets (largely Cr(III) from foods like vegetables and grains) isn’t a safety concern, and even removed chromium from its list of essential nutrients in 2014.^[68] There are workplace and water standards for Cr(VI), but again, that form is not relevant to apples. If apples were grown in heavily contaminated soil (e.g. near a chromate industrial site), authorities would handle it under general food safety regulations (e.g. EU Regulation 2017/625 allows blocking sale of contaminated produce).

Monitoring: Apples and apple products are regularly tested as part of food safety monitoring in the US, EU, and globally. Programs like the FDA Total Diet Study and Europe’s monitoring plans sample apples for metals to ensure compliance. Results have been consistently reassuring for apples: – FDA’s recent tests of baby foods (including apple purées) found lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury either not detectable or at very low levels in those products.^[69] The European Food Safety Authority’s 2021 report on arsenic noted apple juice as a potential contributor to toddler arsenic exposure but largely at low concentrations, especially as higher-arsenic sources (like certain rice products) are controlled.^[70] When sporadic issues are found (e.g. a juice with slightly elevated heavy metal), they prompt industry recalls or guidance adjustments.

Bottom line: Regulatory standards in the US and EU ensure that apples on the market meet very strict contaminant levels. Producers have made changes (better sourcing, improved packaging, cleaner processing) that have measurably reduced metals in apple products over time.^[71] Apples continue to be recommended as a healthy food, with regulators emphasizing that the benefits far outweigh the minuscule heavy metal risks when grown and handled properly.

Practical considerations for consumers

While apples are generally safe with respect to heavy metals, here are some evidence-based, non-alarmist tips to further minimize any exposure:

Enjoy a variety of fruits (and foods): Eating a mix of different fruits and veggies helps avoid over-exposure to any one contaminant that might be higher in a particular food.^[72] Apples can be part of a balanced diet – consider rotating apples with other fruits (berries, bananas, oranges, etc.) during the week. A varied diet also provides a broader range of nutrients that can help the body mitigate toxins.

Wash apples thoroughly: Rinsing fresh apples under running water (and scrubbing gently if they have a residue) removes surface dust, soil, and traces of metals like lead that might be deposited from the environment.^[73] Washing is especially important for apples from farmers’ markets or home gardens where they might have more soil on them. (Washing also removes most pesticide residues, offering multiple benefits.) Peeling the apple will further remove surface contaminants – though it also removes fiber and vitamins in the skin, so it’s not necessary unless contamination is suspected. For toddlers who eat many fruit purees, some parents choose to peel apples used in homemade puree to be extra safe, but again, routine peeling is optional given the low metal levels.

Prefer whole fruit to juice for children: Not only do whole apples have fiber and less sugar, they also tend to have lower concentrations of any heavy metals compared to juices made from many apples. The FDA and pediatricians recommend limiting juice for infants and children (e.g. no juice under 1 year, and only small amounts for older kids).^[74] This is primarily for nutritional reasons, but it also inherently reduces potential heavy metal intake from juices. If you do offer apple juice, choose 100% juice (no added sugar) and consider diluting it with water. Using a variety of fruit juices (apple, pear, etc.) rather than always apple can diversify any tiny exposures.

Choose reputable brands and look for testing: Large manufacturers of baby foods and juices often test their products for heavy metals and adhere to internal standards that are stricter than government limits. Some publish results or sourcing practices. While organic apples are not guaranteed to be lower in metals (heavy metals are non-organic contaminants that can be in soil organically managed or not^[75]), some companies focused on baby food have initiatives to source ingredients from lower-contaminant regions. If you’re a parent, you can look for brands that participated in the Baby Food Council or have publicly committed to the FDA’s Closer to Zero goals.

Storage and packaging: For apple products you buy or make:

Use glass, plastic, or Tetra Pak packaging for acidic apple products when possible, which avoids any tin/aluminum leaching. Many apple juices come in plastic or carton packaging now. Applesauce is commonly sold in glass jars or plastic cups – all good options to sidestep tin.

If you do buy apple juice in metal cans, ensure the cans are not dented or damaged. If you open a can and the contents have a metallic taste, discard it (this could indicate excessive tin).

For home canning of apple pie filling or applesauce, use modern canning jar lids (tin-free) and follow guidelines to prevent corrosion. Acidic applesauce can interact with old-style tin lids or cans if not properly sealed.

Cooking apples: Normal cooking or baking with apples doesn’t introduce heavy metals. If using aluminum cookware (such as an aluminum pot to make applesauce), use one that is anodized or in good condition; avoid very old, uncoated aluminum pots for long-simmering acidic apples, as a small amount of aluminum could dissolve. Using stainless steel or enamel pots eliminates that concern entirely. (Again, any aluminum pickup from a pot is likely extremely low and not a health risk, but it can be minimized by these choices.)

Home grown apples: If you grow apple trees at home and are concerned about soil contaminants (for example, if your property was once an orchard that used lead-arsenate, or is near an old industrial site), consider getting your soil tested for heavy metals. Your local agricultural extension or environmental health department can guide you. If results show high lead or arsenic, you can remediate soil or focus on washing/peeling homegrown apples and perhaps avoid using that fruit for infants. Often, planting on uncontaminated soil or in raised beds can circumvent the issue. Keep in mind that even in soils with somewhat elevated metals, the apple flesh might still be safe as noted earlier,^[76] but caution is never wrong, especially for children’s produce.

Overall diet matters: Ensuring adequate nutrition (iron, calcium, vitamin C, etc.) in you or your child’s diet can actually reduce absorption of heavy metals that are ingested. For instance, if a child has sufficient iron in their diet, their body will absorb less lead. So, pairing apples with other healthy foods is beneficial. For example, a snack of apple slices with calcium-rich yogurt and iron-fortified cereal can be healthier and potentially reduce any tiny uptake of metals from the apple or other foods.

Keep perspective: Apples are nutrient-rich, high in fiber, and linked to positive health outcomes. The phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” holds because of apples’ nutritional benefits. The tiny traces of metals sometimes found in apples are far below levels known to cause harm, especially compared to higher-risk foods (e.g. certain rice, root crops, or large fish). It’s important not to eliminate wholesome foods like apples out of fear; instead, apply the above sensible steps. As the FDA notes, eating a variety of fruits – including apples – is good for nutrition and canreduce overall contaminant exposure by dilution*.^[77]

Are apple juices and applesauce safe for my child with regard to heavy metals?

Generally, yes – they are safe. Apple juice came under scrutiny about a decade ago for arsenic and lead content, but since then manufacturers and regulators have ensured levels are greatly reduced.^[78] The FDA’s current standard for apple juice arsenic is 10 ppb (the same as drinking water)^[79], and juice on the market largely meets or beats this. In fact, FDA finds many apple juices with under 3 ppb arsenic now.^[80] For lead, proposed limits (10–20 ppb) are also low and being adhered to in practice. Applesauce and apple puree for infants in the EU must have <20 ppb lead and arsenic^[81], which reputable brands achieve. Independent tests (including a 2021 congressional report) did find heavy metals in some baby foods, including apple-containing products, but mostly at very low concentrations.^[82] If you’re concerned, you can take steps like varying your child’s diet (don’t rely on only apple-based foods every day) and possibly making some apple puree at home from peeled apples to further reduce any risk. But overall, commercial apple sauces are within safe ranges. The American Academy of Pediatrics still encourages fruits (including applesauce) as part of healthy diets for babies – the key is a variety of fruits and veggies to minimize any one source of metals.^[83]

Should I be peeling apples to avoid heavy metals?

Washing apples is usually sufficient; peeling is an optional extra step. Most heavy metal residue (if present at all) is on the skin surface, not deeply in the flesh.^[84] Washing with water and a bit of gentle scrubbing will remove dirt, dust, and residues like lead-containing dust or arsenic-containing soil particles. If an apple were grown in somewhat contaminated soil, peeling could remove any metals that might have accumulated in the skin itself – metals like lead can bind to the peel more than the pulp. For an adult or older child, the nutritional value of the peel (fiber, vitamins) likely outweighs the benefit of removing such tiny metal amounts. For babies (who eat a lot of fruit puree), some parents choose to peel fruits just to be extra safe, and because babies aren’t benefiting from fruit peel fiber yet. In summary: peeling can reduce heavy metals by up to ~25–50% in some cases (since you’re discarding the surface), but apples already have low levels. It’s a personal choice; you won’t significantly compromise safety by eating washed, unpeeled apples, especially from trusted sources.

Do organic apples have less heavy metal than conventional?

Not necessarily. Heavy metals come from the environment (soil, water, air) – they are not added by pesticides or fertilizers in most cases (except some old fertilizers contained cadmium, etc.). Organic farming doesn’t use synthetic pesticides, but it cannot change the natural metal content of the soil. So an organic apple grown in soil with high lead will still have lead, possibly the same as a conventional apple from that soil. Conversely, a conventional apple from a clean environment will have negligible metals. In the 2021 report on baby foods, both organic and non-organic products contained similar heavy metal ranges.^[85] Organic baby food brands were part of that report and also had detectable lead, arsenic, etc. (again, all at low levels). So, organic is not a guarantee of no heavy metals. It does often mean fewer chemical pesticide residues, which is a different issue. If heavy metals are a concern, focus more on where apples are grown (region, soil quality) or how they’re processed, rather than organic vs. conventional. Many companies, organic and non-organic alike, source apples from areas with low soil contaminants for their baby products.

There was news about heavy metals in baby foods – were apples involved?

Yes, apples (in the form of apple puree and juice) were among the foods examined. A 2021 U.S. Congressional subcommittee report found that many baby foods had detectable levels of heavy metals.^[86] For example, some apple juices had a few parts per billion of arsenic or lead. The report did highlight a few products (like certain rice cereals and root vegetable mixtures) with higher levels, but fruit purees and juices also showed low levels of lead and arsenic (e.g. single-digit ppb). This report prompted FDA’s Closer to Zero action plan, which includes setting formal limits as discussed. The key context: none of the baby food test results showed levels above current adult limits, but they were concerning in aggregate (babies eat a lot of those foods relative to body weight). Apples specifically were not the worst offenders – rice-based foods and certain sweet potato/carrot products tended to have more. But apples are part of the mix, so they’re under the same scrutiny. As a parent, you don’t need to avoid apple-containing baby foods, but it’s wise to diversify your baby’s diet (include other fruits, grains, etc.) and to pay attention to the developments from FDA’s plan (companies will be reducing levels further). Some baby food makers now advertise that they test for heavy metals – that can provide extra peace of mind.

Are there guidelines for athletes or adults who eat a lot of apples (e.g. in a dieting context)?

There are no special official guidelines for high apple consumption regarding heavy metals, because apples are low-risk. Even if someone ate an unusually large amount of apples daily, the heavy metal intake from apples would remain very small. For perspective, an apple might contain <1 µg of lead; eating 10 apples might yield <10 lead, which is still below many regulatory thresholds for daily intake in an adult. the bigger concerns excessive apple would be sugar or digestive fiber load before heavy metals ever became issue. that said, athletes anyone on a high-fruit diet should ensure variety. if you eat as primary fruit, consider mixing other fruits through week (bananas, citrus, berries) – this isn’t due to so much nutritional balance. tend accumulate over long periods, your are from normal food supply (and not, say, garden next smelter), even high consumption pattern known cause metal issues. always wash remove any surface contaminants, especially you’re them.< p>

How can I know if my apples (or apple juice) have heavy metals?

It’s hard for consumers to know specific levels without lab testing, which is generally not necessary for individual households. You can trust regulatory oversight for store-bought products – agencies like the FDA and EFSA regularly test products from the market. If you’re curious, you can sometimes find test reports or transparency statements from brands (some baby food brands publish heavy metal test results online or upon request). For home-grown or local farm apples, if you suspect a problem (e.g. the orchard soil is known to be contaminated), you could send soil or fruit samples to a private lab for analysis, but this is uncommon. Local agricultural extensions sometimes offer heavy metal testing for soil and produce. For apple juice you make at home, the same idea applies. In practice, the best proxy is knowing the history of the land: if the apple source is an area with no known heavy metal pollution issues, the apples will almost certainly be fine. If it’s an area with known issues (like certain mining regions or former industrial sites), extra caution or testing might be warranted. Keep in mind that heavy metals have no taste or smell at the trace levels found in apples – you can’t detect them organoleptically. The good news is that food safety systems act as your eyes and ears here: when occasional issues have arisen (e.g. a juice brand exceeding arsenic limits), authorities have intervened and products were recalled or reformulated.

What are authorities doing to prevent heavy metals in apples?

A lot! Agricultural and environmental policies over past decades greatly reduced contamination: leaded gasoline was phased out, reducing lead in air (thus on crops); many arsenic pesticides were banned; industrial emissions are regulated. For apples, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) include avoiding planting orchards on contaminated land or using contaminated water. Food producers conduct ingredient testing – apple juice concentrate, for instance, is often tested for arsenic by importers (China, a major exporter of apple juice concentrate, has had to ensure their product meets global arsenic standards before export). Regulators set and enforce the limits described earlier, and regularly update them as new science emerges. In 2019 the EU lowered the lead limit for fruit and baby foods to stricter levels^[87], and just in 2023 they updated the overall contaminants regulation (2023/915) to include more foods and tighter controls. The FDA’s Closer to Zero plan is a multi-year effort: they’ve already issued draft guidance for lead and finalized arsenic in apple juice, and are working on cadmium and mercury next.^[88] At the international level, Codex Alimentarius makes sure there are global reference standards so that imported/exported apple products are held to similar safety levels. In short, authorities monitor and continually push heavy metal levels as low as reasonably achievable (the ALARA principle). Apples benefit from all these efforts, and it’s reflected in data – for example, the FDA noted a trend of more apple juice samples now testing “non-detect” for arsenic (＜3 ppb) than a decade ago.^[89] This positive trend is expected to continue as technology and practices improve.

Research Feed

References

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