Consumer Reports finds alarming levels of heavy metals in kids' fruit juice

A new study will be hard to swallow for some well-meaning parents.

A recent study by Consumer Reports found concerning levels of potentially dangerous metals in many kids’ fruit juices. Arsenic, cadmium, and lead were found in beloved brands including Whole Food’s 365 Everyday Value, Juicy Juice, Honest Kids, Minute Maid, Welch’s, and more.

Also see: Learn to make your own juice at home.

The watchdog group tested 45 fruit juices sold nationwide, including grape, apple, pear, and fruit blends. More than half of the juices tests for those three heavy metals.

Overall, heavy metals in fruit juices have gone down since a similar CR test in 2011, but Consumer Report‘s Chief Scientific Officer James Dickerson, Ph.D. warns we shouldn’t be comfortable with that alone.

“People should still be concerned that test heavy metals are still being found in juice products… and take action so they can ensure that they and their familiar are healthy and safe,” Dickerson told TODAY.

Heavy metals can cause a variety of ailments — anything from neurological issues to cancer — in both children and adults. They occur naturally in the air, water, soil, and in some foods, so it’s impossible to avoid them completely, but juice manufactures can do more to reduce their levels by being selective about where they source their fruit and how they process and package it.

Organic juices did not have lower levels of heavy metals present.

Dickerson said that the juices in question were not violating government regulation, and that the FDA is aware of the new CR report, but has yet to comment due to the recent government shutdown.