| Q. |
How can I be sure that the apple juice I'm drinking is safe? |
| A. |
The apple juice industry is committed to producing premium, healthful, good-for-you products. Consumers can be assured that extensive steps are taken to ensure the safety of its juice products regardless of the source of the ingredients. Safety is assured through a multi-stage system that begins with the requirement that a juice processing facility operate under a long-standing Food and Drug (FDA) regulation called Good Manufacturing Practices. These requirements also extend to processors who export juice concentrate to the U.S.
When it comes to concerns specific to Chinese imports, it is important to know that American apple juice companies purchase exclusively from Chinese processors who are certified for safety by FDA. FDA has an agreement with China's Certification and Accreditation Administration to ensure that these certified facilities comply with U.S. regulations in making juice concentrate.
Additionally, juices are subject to a regulatory protection requirement that requires every juice processing facility to identify, control and document all critical steps of processing where contamination potentially could occur. This regulation also extends to foreign food processing facilities.
Sampling and testing is also done by juice processors and third-party sources to validate the safety of the ingredients and the final product. Apple juice is pasteurized, just like milk, to prevent contamination as required by regulations. If the juice is unpasteurized it must be declared on the product label. |
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| Q. |
How do I know which apple juice products contain imported concentrate? |
| A. |
Consumers have a right to know where their food comes from. Country-of-origin labeling is required by law on juices made from imported concentrate. The identifying label gives consumers the ability to make informed decisions about the products they purchase. There are a variety of apple juice products in the marketplace, both made "from concentrate" and "not from concentrate." |
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| Q. |
Why does the U.S. import apple juice concentrate made in foreign countries? |
| A. |
Apple juice concentrate is imported into the U.S. for the purpose of making apple juice because most U.S. apples are grown for the fresh produce market or for applesauce rather than for juice processing. Apple juice concentrate has been safely imported into the U.S. from countries including China, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and a number of countries in the European Union for more than 30 years without any reported food safety incident. |
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| Q. |
I heard that nearly all of the apple juice in the U.S. is from China - is this true? |
| A. |
No. While China is the leading apple juice concentrate supplier in the world, less than half (42%) of the apple juice available in the U.S. is made from concentrate originating in China. |
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| Q. |
What is the difference between apple juice and apple cider? |
| A. |
The definitions of "juice" and "cider" vary from region to region. Apple cider is freshly pressed, not-from-concentrate juice that may or may not undergo a filtration process to remove coarse pulp. Most cider is pasteurized but perishable and is often found in the refrigerated section of the supermarket. Apple juice may be from concentrate and has been filtered, pasteurized, and vacuum sealed to give a longer lasting, shelf-stable, clear product. |
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| Q. |
What are the health benefits of drinking apple juice and apple cider? |
| A. |
Both apple juice and apple cider are valuable sources of nutrients and antioxidants that help to fight chronic disease and to promote good health in kids and adults. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell have shown that apple juice and cider have a powerful effect on brain function and may improve cognition. Other studies from Cornell University and University of California-Davis suggest that those nutrients may also protect against cancer and heart disease.
100 percent juices such as apple juice and apple cider are considered a fruit serving by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. Parents can feel comfortable in encouraging their families to make a 100 percent apple juice part of a safe and healthy diet. |
