FDA Extends Comment Deadline for Proposed Arsenic Action Level in Apple Juice

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended until November
12, 2013, the period for submission of comments, scientific data and other
information related to its draft guidance titled “Arsenic in Apple Juice: Action
Level.” Originally published in the July 15 Federal Register, the guidance
proposes an action level of 10 parts per billion for inorganic arsenic in apple
juice, which FDA considers “protective of human health and achievable with
the use of good manufacturing practices.” The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency has set the same level for arsenic in drinking water. FDA extended the
deadline in response to a request “to allow interested persons additional time
to submit comments.” More details about the proposed rule appear in Issue
490 of this Update. See Federal Register, September 13, 2013.