Back to School: FDA finds possible lead in fruit juices

dayton — It’s the first day of schools for students in the Richmond Community School District and the Nettlecreek Schools in Wayne County, Indiana.

Scientists have a warning about breakfast for your kids and the juice you might be washing it down with.

They say that juice may contain some lead.

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News Center 7′s Cheryl McHenry is looking at those dangers and what the Feds are doing to try to get rid of it as even small amounts of lead in juice can lead to big developmental issues.

“I thought orange juice was healthy with it being Vitamin D and stuff in it,” said Kendra Moore, mother of two boys, a five-year-old and three-year-old. “It was easy for me to give it to them, and they love it.”

With all the good stuff, the Food and Drug Administration found possible found possible lead in all juices, including apple and grape, which is a concern for pediatricians.

“Once it gets absorbed, it has a half-life of 25 years,” said Dr. Samira Brown. “It stores in the blood bone. Even chronic low exposures can be very, you know, impactful specifically to their IQ.”

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Knowing the serious dangers from lead exposure, Sharon Foster had her three daycares test for it, even toys.

It never dawned on her to check the juice.

“I had no idea, I’m embarrassed to say because that is my job to keep children safe,” she said. “I’m glad I know now.”

McHenry says the FDA is taking action by recommending lead limits of 10 parts per billion in apple juice and 20 parts per billion in other juices.

Right now, it is okay to have 50 parts per billion.

The FDA says the new limits would lower lead exposure from apple juice by 46% and 19% from all other juices.

Scientists believe most of the lead is getting into the juice through processing, possibly from the machine use.

“It’s not something that I want to see in my kids’ drinks or food,” said Lindsay Stippich, mother to an eight-year-old and five-year-old.

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She says juice is no longer on the menu.

“Especially seeing there are so many kids that have different development delays or different things like that going on,” she said. “You do wonder, is it because of stuff that they’re putting in our drinks? In our food?”

The Juice Products Association issued a statement saying, “Anyone drinking 100% juice, including parents and children, can rest assured that they are getting the best safest product possible.”

Lead exposure symptoms may not show up right away and when they do, they can vary from stomach pains and headaches, to hair loss and seizures.

Doctors say the real damage happens over time to the brain with developmental issues.

McHenry says these new lead limits are just guidelines and the FDA is still taking comments on it.

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