Just to be on the safe side, no arsenic in our apple juice.
We knew the answer before we ran the tests but we thought we’d run them anyway just to reassure our customers: No arsenic in our apple juice. Not a trace.
Here at CoGo, we've been 100% organic for nearly 30 years. We grow most of our own apples, and what we purchase comes from organic orchards nearby, in Oregon and Washington.
The most recent apple juice scare began in the fall of 2011 when TV personality Dr. Oz announced that, through his own testing, he found dangerous levels of arsenic in some of the most popular brands of Apple Juice concentrate. Consumer Reports confirmed his findings with their own study in late 2011. It turns out these products are made with apples from as many as seven different countries where chemicals that are banned in America are being used freely.
We’re concerned that U.S. Inspectors are not spotting this type of contamination – after all, apple and grape juice concentrates are family favorites, and are also used instead of sugar to sweeten a lot of other foods. But we are encouraged that consumers are becoming more vigilant about where their food comes from. And we’re grateful to Dr. Oz and Consumer Reports for exposing the problem.
What advice does Dr. Oz give for people who might be concerned about their juice? Buy organic and make sure the fruit is grown in the U.S.
...That would be CoGo.
And here’s an added bonus we’re sure Dr. Oz would like: our apple juice is never cooked, concentrated, or reconstituted. It’s fresh-pressed, flash pasteurized, bottled, and in your fridge within a couple of days.
Columbia Gorge Organic: Small Farm, Big Flavor, Always Organic.
Comments
Kudos, although I always thought the Arsenic just added to the flavor… ;) No I’m kidding, but it is eye opening to see that even if you buy something semi-consciously that reads “100%” something or other, it cannot account for things you wouldn’t otherwise be conscious of. I’m a late bloomer, but I’ve gone purely organic due to episodes such as this.
JPA = corporate interests
Seems like your propaganda backfired! I support CoGo!
I have to wonder if the Juice Products Association people are the same people who have been shielding the unwitting public from fake not~from~concentrate and p.s. not~actually~organic orange juice. Sounds like the same old line of pulp to me. Even the name of this association reminds me of the modern juxtaplay on words and ingredients used to mislead the public in every public arena these days i.e. The use of the word ‘Shake’ on the menu literally means ‘NOT MILK Shake’.
Bravo to you CoGo for showing what a corporation that actually cares about the consumer is capable of.
And isn’t it reassuring to know that your product must be doing well enough for the big boys to pay attention to what you are doing :-).
Just want to echo my support of your study and thank you for releasing the results. I am yet another person who wants to know what I’‘m putting into my body.
Stephen
There are two types of arsenic, right? There are acceptable levels, right? Arsenic is found in the soil, apple seeds and from chemicals sprayed on the fruit, right? If Columba Organic can have arsenic free juice, why can’t all companies?
Then there is the orange juice scandal.
In response to the well thought out response from the Juice Products Association, what is your point? A company tests their own products, without being forced to do so, to prove to their customers that their product is safe and your response is “Your company’s response to the recent media reports on the dangers of arsenic in fruit juice does little more than bring added attention to a misleading controversy that has needlessly frightened consumers”. Really? How is this misleading? I buy their products and appreciate knowing it is free of arsenic. As to your response ” Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in the soil, water and air”, just because it occurs naturally doesn’t mean we need it in our foods. Ever hear of the motto, everything is OK in moderation”. I like my motto better, “if it’s toxic I prefer to have NONE of it in my food”. I commend this company for running these tests and feel your responses do nothing more than further confuse consumers about what information to believe. At least the people know the juice put out by Columbia Gorge Organic is free of arsenic, what about your juices?
Juice Products Association comment sounds like the same old propaganda to me. Two independent tests showed illegally high, not “trace,” amounts of arsenic in popular apple juice concentrates. You think the FDA is reassuring? I don’t believe anything anymore from them or corporate-backed “associations.” Just sayin’
Oh, and thanks Columbia Gorge Organic for staying small, local, organic and wonderful!
What is with the Juice Products Association comment? I don’t get it. Seems to me like Columbia Gorge Organic really cares. Why aren’t any of the other juice companies testing their juice? Thank you, CGO for caring about me the customer. Who ever you Juice Products Association guys are, I won’t be drinking your juice.
We’re excited you found us too. Thank you Cindy. It’s true, heat kills enzymes. But also time does too - so if you’re looking for enzymes, the only way to get them is to fresh-press and drink immediately. Currently, there is no way to make a commercial live enzyme juice; After 1 day or less, enzymes will be gone. We’re glad you asked. We’re sure other’s were wondering the same thing.
Your company’s response to the recent media reports on the dangers of arsenic in fruit juice does little more than bring added attention to a misleading controversy that has needlessly frightened consumers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has repeatedly reassured consumers that juice products are safe and that the trace levels of arsenic found in some apple juice samples cause no risk to the health and wellbeing of American families. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in the soil, water and air. As such, it can be present in trace amounts in many foods and beverages that are derived from natural sources; both conventionally and organically produced fruit juices may contain trace levels of arsenic that experts agree are not harmful. All juices sold in America are subject to rigorous food safety regulations and are safe for people of all ages.
-The Juice Products Association (www.fruitjuicefacts.org)
I am so excited about finding your juices in Whole Foods Reston VA!! I’ve been drinking the Carrot Leafy Greens every morning. I would love to know though, about the ability to keep enzymes alive—- my understanding is they can be heated at no more than 117 degrees, and flash pasteurizing require 160-180 degrees. This is something I’ve always wondered about, as I don’t have time to squeeze my own juices but so would love to know all enzymes are still alive when I drink juices like yours….. any comments???