In response to alarming reports by consumer watchdogs, two House Democrats this week introduced legislation aimed at limiting the amount of lead and arsenic in fruit juices.

Reps. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) have introduced the "Arsenic Prevention and Protection from Lead Exposure in Juice Act," or "APPLE Juice Act" (H.R. 3984), which would require the Food and Drug Administration to establish standards for the substances in fruit juices within two years. No such FDA standard currently exists.

The legislation comes after a Consumer Reports investigation last November found strikingly high levels of arsenic in apple and grape juices. Of 88 samples purchased in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, 10 percent contained arsenic at levels higher than the federal standard for drinking water. A quarter of the samples had lead levels higher than the drinking water standard for the potent neurotoxin.

Pallone said more must be done in response to the findings.

"Setting basic standards for arsenic and lead in products whose consumers are primarily children is not only the right thing to do," Pallone said in a statement, "it will help give parents the peace of mind that the juices their children drink daily are safe."

FDA's current drinking water limit for arsenic is 10 parts per billion, while its standard for lead is 5 ppb. The agency has never set a juice standard.

In response to the Consumer Reports investigation, however, the agency said it would increase its testing for arsenic in juice and is considering tightening restrictions on the amount of the chemicals allowed in juices. FDA has also launched a new initiative under which it will collect and test up to 90 samples from around the country.

After the report, Consumers Union, the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, urged FDA to set a 3 ppb juice standard for total arsenic and a 5 ppb standard for lead.

DeLauro echoed that call. "It is our job, and the FDA's job, to ensure the health and safety of the American people. This legislation will help to make that happen," DeLauro said.

Pallone and DeLauro's bill has the backing of Consumers Union and Food and Water Watch, another public health watchdog.

"This bill will go a long way in protecting the public, especially children, from being exposed to these toxins," said Ami Gadhia, a Consumers Union senior policy counsel.

The legislation also comes as FDA has stepped up its efforts to address reports that levels of the fungicide carbendazim are being found in several orange juice samples. Carbendazim is prohibited in the United States but commonly used in Brazil, which exports orange juice to the United States (Greenwire, Jan. 10).