Fruit Juice, Lead and Arsenic: What FDA Limits Mean for Toddlers

The short answer

Juice can contain small amounts of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, which are present where food is grown and processed [3][7]. FDA's final action level for inorganic arsenic in apple juice is 10 ppb [4]. For lead, FDA's 2022 draft proposes 10 ppb for apple juice and 20 ppb for other juices, replacing a 50 ppb level, but it is not final yet [1][2][6]. The AAP and FDA advise no juice before 12 months and small amounts after [5][10].

This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your pediatrician about your child's diet.

Why can juice contain lead and arsenic?

Because the fruit and water that go into it can. FDA says heavy metals such as arsenic and lead occur naturally and from human activity, and can be present where food is grown, raised or processed [7]. For lead specifically, FDA says it may be present where juice crops are grown, and lists contaminated soil, contaminated water, old lead-containing equipment, processing aids and industrial air deposition as potential sources [3]. FDA research also found that some filter aids used to remove sediment can add lead, and that changing or treating them may lower levels [3].

FDA says lead is especially harmful to infants and young children, and that even low exposure can affect the brain and nervous system, including learning, behavior and IQ [3]. Lead can build up in the body, so low-level exposure over time matters [3]. FDA's draft focuses on juice because infants and children drink it often and are more sensitive to lead's effects on development [2].

What are FDA's limits for lead and arsenic in juice?

There is one final action level and one draft:

Contaminant	Juice	FDA level	Status
Inorganic arsenic	Apple juice	10 ppb	Final guidance, June 2023 [4]
Lead	Apple juice, ready-to-drink	10 ppb	Draft guidance, April 2022 [1][2][11]
Lead	Other ready-to-drink juices, including blends with apple	20 ppb	Draft guidance, April 2022 [1][2]
Lead	All juice (current level the draft would replace)	50 ppb	Juice HACCP guidance level set in 2004 [2]

Action levels are non-binding guidance. They mark the level at which FDA may regard a product as adulterated and consider enforcement, along with other factors [2][4]. For how these compare with the jar-and-pouch baby food numbers, see FDA lead vs cadmium action levels.

Why is apple juice held to a lower lead level?

Because young children drink more of it. FDA set the lower 10 ppb apple-juice level because apple juice is the juice young children in the U.S. drink most [2]. FDA estimates the proposed levels would cut children's dietary lead exposure from juice at the 90th percentile of consumption by [2]:

46% for apple juice at 10 ppb
19% for other juices at 20 ppb

FDA says the levels are based on its testing of juice samples collected after the 50 ppb level was set in 2004, and on its interim reference level for lead for children of 3 µg/day [2].

When will the lead-in-juice limits be final?

Not yet. FDA still lists the April 2022 lead-in-juice guidance as a draft [1][6], and its Closer to Zero status page targets 2027 for final juice lead guidance [7]. Our Closer to Zero roadmap tracks where juice sits next to lead and cadmium in baby food.

Juice is also outside the baby food action levels. FDA's lead guidance for processed baby food covers packaged foods such as purées in jars or pouches and dry infant cereals [8], and the draft cadmium guidance for baby food says it does not apply to any beverages, including toddler drinks [9].

How much juice should babies and toddlers drink?

Less than many parents expect. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends [5]:

Under 12 months: no fruit juice. It offers no nutritional benefit at this age and can raise the risk of tooth decay.
Over 12 months: whole fruit is better; about 4 ounces of juice a day as part of a meal may be reasonable.
Ages 1 to 6: no more than 4 to 6 ounces (120 to 180 ml) a day.
Avoid: juice at bedtime, and juice to treat dehydration or diarrhea.

FDA's own advice for limiting arsenic and lead from juices matches this: no juice under 1 year, and from 12 months mostly whole fruit, with 100% juice kept to about 4 ounces or less a day [10].

How can parents lower metals from juice and drinks?

Choose whole fruit over juice most of the time; whole fruit has fiber juice lacks [5][10].
Keep servings small if you serve juice: 100% juice, about 4 ounces or less a day, with a meal and not at bedtime [5][10]. FDA suggests mixing 100% juice with water to cut calories [10].
Eat a varied diet. FDA says variety may reduce exposure to contaminants that foods absorb from the environment [10], and that variety keeps children from being repeatedly exposed to one food that contains a contaminant [7].
Check brand results. Several states require baby-food makers to publish heavy-metal tests; see state baby food heavy metal laws and our ranked baby food list.
Skip sugary drinks. FDA advises against fruit drinks such as fruit punch, soda, sports drinks and flavored milks for young children [10]. Rice-based snacks are a separate arsenic issue (rice snacks and arsenic).

FAQ

Is apple juice safe for toddlers?

FDA has set a 10 ppb inorganic arsenic action level for apple juice and proposed a 10 ppb lead level [2][4]. The AAP says about 4 ounces a day with a meal may be reasonable after 12 months, though whole fruit is better [5].

Is there a legal limit for lead in juice?

Not a binding one. FDA's current 50 ppb level and its proposed 10 and 20 ppb levels are guidance, not enforceable limits [2]. The lower levels are still draft [1].

Why does FDA allow more lead in other juices than apple juice?

FDA set the lower apple-juice level because it is the juice young children drink most, so it has the largest effect on exposure [2].

Should babies under one year drink juice?

No. The AAP recommends no fruit juice for infants under 12 months, and FDA says infants under 1 year should not drink juice [5][10].

Is organic juice lower in lead?

Not necessarily. FDA says organic crops absorb heavy metals from the earth just like conventional crops [7], and its juice documents list soil, water, equipment and processing aids as lead sources [3]. See also organic baby food and heavy metals.

References

U.S. FDA, Draft Guidance for Industry: Action Levels for Lead in Juice (April 2022).
U.S. FDA, Action Levels for Lead in Juice: Draft Guidance for Industry (PDF, April 2022).
U.S. FDA, Draft Supporting Document for Establishing FDA's Action Levels for Lead in Juice.
U.S. FDA, Guidance for Industry: Action Level for Inorganic Arsenic in Apple Juice (June 2023).
American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, Where We Stand: Fruit Juice for Children (updated July 27, 2022).
U.S. FDA, Chemical, Metals, Natural Toxins & Pesticides Guidance Documents & Regulations.
U.S. FDA, Closer to Zero: Reducing Childhood Exposure to Heavy Metals from Foods.
U.S. FDA, Guidance for Industry: Action Levels for Lead in Processed Food Intended for Babies and Young Children (January 2025).
U.S. FDA, Action Levels for Cadmium in Processed Food Intended for Babies and Young Children: Draft Guidance for Industry (October 2026).
U.S. FDA, What You Can Do to Limit Exposure to Arsenic and Lead from Juices.
Federal Register, Action Levels for Lead in Juice; Draft Guidance for Industry; Availability (April 29, 2022).