Safety First: FDA Looks to Limit Arsenic in Apple Juice

Arsenic in apple juice? Yep, it's for real. 

The Food and Drug Administration has been monitoring arsenic levels in apple juice for decades. But, it wasn't until this week that the agency proposed a maximum limit -- 10 parts per billion.

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That's the same amount allowable in drinking water. 

The move comes after mounting public concern about the safety of apple juice. "The Dr. Oz Show" even did its own testing, and found arsenic levels of 11 to 36 parts per billion.

However, the kind of arsenic found in apple juice isn't the kind used to kill rats. What's in apple juice is naturally occurring and "essentially harmless," the FDA says. 

There's been additional testing since 2011, and the levels of arsenic are "too low to cause immediate or short-term health damage." officials said.

But, in assessing the risk of long-term exposure, the agency arrived at the 10 parts per billion limit. 

"We believe that this action level will keep any apple juice that may have more inorganic arsenic than that out of the marketplace," the FDA said.