Report: Heavy Metals Are in Many of Your Kid's Favorite Juices

Consumer Reports (CR) tested popular fruit juices sold nationwide and found concerning levels of heavy metals in nearly half of them.

The juices were tested for cadmium, lead, mercury and inorganic arsenic, which CR says is the type most harmful to health. All the findings from the tests are available in the full report from CR.

“In some cases, drinking just 4 ounces a day—or half a cup—is enough to raise concern,” says James Dickerson, Ph.D., CR’s chief scientific officer.

CR tested 45 popular fruit juices in four flavors—apple, fruit juice blends, grape and pear. Stores and brands tested include 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods), Capri Sun, Great Value (Walmart), Gerber, Gold Emblem (CVS), Juicy Juice, Market Peach (Target), Simply Balanced (Target), Trader Joe’s, Welch’s and others.

CR Test Results

• Every product had measurable levels of at least one of these heavy metals: cadmium, inorganic arsenic, lead or mercury

• Twenty-one of the 45 juices tested had concerning levels of cadmium, inorganic arsenic and/or lead

• Of those 21 juices, seven could harm kids who drink 4 ounces (half a cup) or more a day; and nine pose risks for kids at 8 ounces (1 cup) or more a day

• Five of the juices with elevated levels are juice boxes or pouches, which pose risks for kids who drink more than one box or pouch a day

• Ten of those juices also pose a risk to adults

• Grape juice and juice blends had the highest average heavy metal levels

• Organic juices didn’t have lower levels of heavy metals than conventional ones

Juices with potential risk at one cup or more per day include:

1. Gold Emblem (CVS) 100% Apple Juice
2. Great Value (Walmart) 100% Juice, Apple
3. Trader Joe’s Organic Apple Juice
4. 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods) Organic 100% Juice, Concord Grape
5. Gerber White Grape Juice
6. Gold Emblem (CVS) 100% Grape Juice
7. R.W. Knudsen Organic Pear 100% Juice
8. 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods) Organic 100% Juice, Grape Cranberry
9. Great Value (Walmart) 100% Juice, Cranberry Grape
10. Juicy Juice 100% Juice, White Grape
11. Trader Joe’s Organic Apple Grape Juice

Juices with potential risk at half a cup a day include:

1. Trader Joe’s Fresh Pressed Apple Juice, 100% Juice
2. 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods) Organic 100% Juice, Concord Grape
3. R.W. Knudsen Organic Just Concord Grape Juice
4. Welch’s 100% Grape Juice, Concord Grape
5. Welch’s 100% Grape Juice, White Grape
6. Great Value (Walmart) 100% Juice, Cranberry Grape
7. Welch’s 100% Juice with Antioxidant Superberry

Juice boxes or pouches with potential risk at more than one a day include:

1. Trader Joe’s Joe’s Kids Apple Juice
2. Minute Maid 100% Apple Juice
3. Juicy Juice 100% Juice, Fruit Punch
4. Minute Maid 100% Juice, Fruit Punch
5. Mott’s 100% Juice, Apple White Grape

Why are these juices dangerous?

According to CR testers, in many of the juices they tested, the combined levels of heavy metals were more concerning than the level of any one specific heavy metal.

“Each of these metals has shown similar adverse effects on children’s developing brains and nervous systems, and there are potential additive effects,” says CR chemist Tunde Akinleye.

Additionally, even small amounts of heavy metals can add up, Akinleye says. That’s because although the amounts of heavy metals in one type of food may be low, they are found in other foods and the environment and tend to accumulate in the body.

Are there better alternatives?

While every product tested had measurable levels of at least one of the heavy metals, the CR says certain brands were not as harmful as others.

Better juice alternatives:

1. 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods) Organic Apple Juice, 100% Juice
2. Apple & Eve 100% Juice, Apple Juice
3. Big Win (Rite Aid) 100% Juice, Apple Juice
4. Clover Valley (Dollar General) 100% Apple Juice
5. Gerber Apple 100% Juice
6. Market Pantry (Target) 100% Juice, Apple
7. Mott’s 100% Juice, Apple Original
8. Mott’s for Tots Apple
9. Nature’s Own 100% Apple Juice
10. Old Orchard 100% Juice, Apple
11. Simply Balanced (Target) Organic Apple Juice, 100% Juice
12. Tree Top 100% Apple Juice
13. Goya Pear Nectar
14. Looza Pear Juice Drink
15. Ocean Spray Cran-Apple
16. Ocean Spray Cran-Grape

Better juice box and pouch alternatives:

1. Capri Sun 100% Juice, Apple
2. Juicy Juice 100% Juice, Apple
3. Juicy Juice Organics 100% Juice, Apple
4. Good2Grow 100% Juice, Apple
5. Honest Kids Organic Juice Drink, Goodness Grapeness
6. Good2Grow 100% Juice, Fruit Punch
7. Capri Sun 100% Juice, Fruit Punch
8. Minute Maid 100% Juice, Apple White Grape

Click here for more information on the test, the results and how to limit your and your family’s exposure to heavy metals in fruit juice.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.