Purpose: This research was conducted to assess the concentrations of metals, particularly arsenic (As) and lead (Pb), in samples of shelf-stable apple juice and fresh apple cider obtained retail operations and cider mills throughout Michigan.
Methods: Samples of shelf-stable apple juice (n=17) and fresh apple cider (n=78) were obtained in the fall of 2015. Samples were analyzed for concentrations of arsenic, lead and other metals by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Results: There was a highly significant difference (P<0.001) in total arsenic concentrations detected in shelf-stable apple juices and fresh apple ciders. The mean±SEM for As was 2.59±0.36 µg/L in shelf-stable apple juices and 0.37±0.17 µg/L in fresh apple ciders. No samples contained As concentrations in excess of 10 µg/L. Lead concentrations did not differ between shelf-stable apple juices and fresh apple ciders, with mean concentrations of 1.5±0.9 and 1.8±0.4 µg/L in apple juices and ciders, respectively. The maximum Pb concentration detected in any sample was 28 µg/L.
Significance: The As and Pb concentrations detected in this study were consistently less than current advisory levels indicated by FDA for these metals. Fresh apple ciders manufactured using local apples contained significantly lower concentrations of As compared to shelf-stable apple juices, which are largely manufactured using imported apple juice concentrate.