New findings add to juice debate

FRESNO, Calif.

They are results that seem to confirm the controversial findings of TV-personality Dr. Oz - that both apple and grape juices contain high levels of toxins known to be harmful when consumed in large amounts.

The question on everyone's minds is whether these juices are safe for children after Consumer Reports found many contain high levels of arsenic and lead.

Fresno mom Katie Botterill says she limits how much apple juice she gives her son because she's concerned about sugar.

But there's new reason to be worried after disturbing new evidence revealed what's in the juice her child may be drinking.

When Consumer Reports looked at both apple and grape juice it found out of the 88 samples it tested - 10% had arsenic levels greater than the federal standard for drinking water.

A quarter of them had lead levels higher than the FDA standard for bottled water.

When Dr. Oz first brought the issue to light several months ago it sparked fierce debate.

ABC's Dr. Richard Besser argued research done by the FDA showed the arsenic found in some juices was harmless.

Wednesday morning, he said the FDA provided faulty data claiming there was an industry standard when there was not.

"This is an area where they have not issued standards for industry so industry doesn't have to test to a certain level and show their juice is within those bounds," Besser said.

Based on Consumer Reports' findings Dr. Besser has a new set of recommendations.

"Children younger than 6 months should not drink juice. They don't need it. Children 6 months to a year should drink juice out of a cup. Children younger than 7 should only have 4-7 ounces," he said.

Meantime, parents like Katie Botterill plan to stop buying juice altogether until the FDA steps in.

"The question shouldn't even be should there be tougher regulations - it should just be in place. Their number one job is to protect us and especially children," she said.

The Juice Products Association is also responding to this latest study.

It says "safety and quality have always been and will continue to be the top priorities for U.S. juice producers. Juice producers thoroughly test their products and comply with federal regulations."

The FDA says it will collect additional data.

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