If arsenic levels in apple juice is high?

The Food and Drug Administration is considering tightening restrictions for the levels ofarsenic allowed in apple juice after consumer groups pushed the agency to crack down on the contaminant.

Studies show that apple juice has generally low levels of arsenic, and the government says it is safe to drink. But consumer advocates say the FDA is allowing too much of the chemical — which is sometimes natural, sometimes man made — into apple juices favored by thirsty kids.

There is little consensus on whether these low levels could eventually be harmful, especially to children. Michael Taylor, FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, said Wednesday the agency has already stepped up testing and research on arsenic in apple and other juices and is seriously considering lowering the FDA's so-called "level of concern" for the contaminant.

"We continue to think that apple juice is generally safe based on the fact that the vast majority of samples are very low," Taylor said. "But we want to minimize these exposures as much as we possibly can."
Arsenic is naturally present in water, air, food and soil in the two forms — organic and inorganic. According to the FDA, organic arsenic passes through the body quickly and is essentially harmless. Inorganic arsenic — the type found in pesticides — can be toxic and may pose a cancer risk if consumed at high levels or over a long period.
The FDA uses 23 parts per billion as a guide to judge whether apple juice is contaminated. The agency has the authority to seize apple juice that exceeds those levels, though it has never done so.

Consumer groups say the FDA's level is too high and isn't enforced with enough urgency. Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, released a study on Wednesday calling for the levels to be as low as 3 parts per billion. The Environmental Protection Agency has set levels for drinking water — it's consumed at much greater quantities than apple juice — at 10 parts per billion.

The Consumer Reports study showed that nine of 88 samples of apple juice taken from grocery stores had more arsenic than the EPA's standard for drinking water. But none of the samples exceeded the FDA's standards for inorganic, or man-made, arsenic.

Urvashi Rangan of the Consumers Union says the group has been in talks with the FDA on the issue and is encouraged by the discussion. Another advocacy group, Food and Water Watch, has lobbied the agency on the issue, and Dr. Mehmet Oz has highlighted the issue on his nationally syndicated daytime show.

"We look at apple and grape juice as a poster child for arsenic in the food supply in general," Rangan said. "Chronic low-level exposure of carcinogen is something we should be concerned about."

Molly Kile, a professor at Oregon State University who has studied arsenic for a decade, says more research is needed to determine whether arsenic levels in juice are a problem.

"It is unclear at this point whether or not the arsenic found in apple juice is safe or unsafe," she said. "And really the question is what do these low levels exposure of arsenic mean in terms of health and children's health?"
So what is the parent of a juice-drinking toddler to do?
All of the experts — including the government and the consumer advocates — agree that drinking small amounts of apple juice isn't harmful. The concern is over the effects of drinking large amounts of juice over long periods of time. Parents with a real concern about arsenic should try to diversify the brands of juice they buy in case one brand tends to have more chemical exposure, Consumers Union says.
Another point of agreement is that children under 6 shouldn't be drinking much juice anyway because it's high in calories. Health experts say children under 6 shouldn't drink any more than 6 ounces of juice a day — about the size of a juice box. Infants under 6 months shouldn't drink any juice at all.
Gail Charnley of the Juice Products Association says the industry regularly tests arsenic levels and will follow the FDA's lead.
"Of course parents have concerns but they should know that the juice producers are committed to safety," she said. "Producers have children who drink juice too."
Oz has said he would still serve juice to his own children, though he strongly believes the government isn't doing enough.
"The absolute safest level for arsenic in your food is zero," he said Wednesday while acknowledging "that is impossible to achieve."

Craig Ferguson Discusses Anthrax Scare on ‘Late Late Show’

The comedian Craig Ferguson seemed to be in good spirits on Tuesday evening when he wrote on his Twitter account, “Ack! Someone mailed my show white powder & claimed it was anthrax. I’m not a big fan of that sort of thing.”

But Mr. Ferguson, the host of CBS’s “Late Late Show,” was not entirely kidding, and explained what happened in a monologue recorded Tuesday and planned for broadcast early Wednesday, according to remarks released by CBS.

“Today someone sent an envelope packed with white powder to the show,” Mr. Ferguson told the studio audience at “Late Late Show,” which is produced in Los Angeles. “I offered to test it, but they said no. The police did test it and it’s not dangerous, so you have no excuse to leave.”

“Nowadays,” Mr. Ferguson continued, “white powder in the mail is a bad thing. I called CBS security and they said, ‘We’re busy.’ So I told them I am a personal friend of Drew Carey and they sent somebody over right away.” (Mr. Carey, who gave Mr. Ferguson an early break on his ABC sitcom “The Drew Carey Show,” is now host of “The Price Is Right” on CBS.)

Later in the program, Mr. Ferguson said, “I was going to come out and talk about the earthquake, but I can’t do that now. Because the earthquake only scared millions of people on the East Coast, but the white powder did something much worse — it scared me.”

CBS did not immediately provide any additional details about the package or who might have sent it. The Associated Press reported that two people were temporarily held at the “Late Late Show” studio after being exposed to the powder on Tuesday afternoon and were released after a hazardous materials team determined it was benign. Detective Gus Villanueva of the Los Angeles Police Department told The A.P. that the powder came in an envelope sent from overseas.
On his Twitter account, Mr. Ferguson offered his thanks to the F.B.I., the Los Angeles Police Department and Fire Department and the CBS security staff.
Last week, Mr. Ferguson’s CBS late-night colleague David Letterman, who hosts the network’s “Late Show” and whose company Worldwide Pants produces “Late Late Show,” was threatened on a message board used by Al Qaeda. While the F.B.I. is investigating that incident, Mr. Letterman joked about it on his program on Monday, telling his audience: “They’re questioning, they’re interrogating, there’s an electronic trail — but everybody knows it’s Leno.”

NBC Pins The Rock for '80s Pro-Wrestling Drama

If NBC is going to get back on the top turnbuckle, this will be the show to get it there. The network is developing a drama about the "golden age" of wrestling during the 1980s, when beasts like Hulk Hogan and The Iron Shiek made it cool to wear tights and put a man's head between your legs (although to be fair, a lot of New Wave music made that cool, too). Dwayne Johnson, aka former wrestling star The Rock, will executive produce, and he's awesome so I have no doubt this too will be awesome. It will be just like Mad Men, but with less talking and more Camel Clutching. [Deadline Hollywood]

… Syfy, the network that loves to hate its viewers, has released the premiere dates for a few of its fall shows. Sanctuary bows on October 7, Scare Tactics scares on October 10, and Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files fakes it on October 19. They've also got this original movie called Zombie Apocalypse that sounds pretty awful on October 29. Can't wait. But when do the networks' shows that are actually good (loose definition) end? Glad you asked! Finale dates: Eureka (September 19), Alphas (September 26), Haven (September 30), Warehouse 13 (October 3; 2 hour finale). In December, Syfy's 4-hour Neverland original movie will air. I get the feeling this is about Peter Pan and not Michael Jackson, so it will probably be boring. There. Don't say I never did anything for you. [Syfy via press release]

… After TNT heard that Syfy announced its premiere dates, it remembered that it has shows, too. And premiere dates! Leverage swindled a fourth season that will start on November 27. The Closer's season 7 drops November 28. You can watch season 2 of Rizzoli & Isles on November 28. And Southland walks its fourth beat on January 17. [TNT via press release]

Casting News
… Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age) is in talks to recur on NBC's Law & Order: SVU as one of the Law parts. [Deadline Hollywood]

… Greg Grunberg (Heroes) already crashed a plane into Hawaii on Lost, but he's still returning to the island(s) state. He'll guest star on CBS' Hawaii Five-0 for a mini Heroes reunion with cast member Masi Oka. They'll reminisce about that one good episode they had. [TV Line]

… ABC's upcoming Charlie's Angels is recruiting Isaiah Mustafa, aka The Old Spice Guy. He'll play the former fiancée of one of the broads. [TV Line]

… NBC's upcoming Prime Suspect has bolstered its cast with the comedic stylings of Jay Mohr. He'll play an assistant DA, because DA's are hilllllarious. [EW]

Aftermath of attack in Israel to draw focus to southern bo

Church calendar: Current events

Athens Christian Women's Connection: The Athens Christian Women's Connection will have brunch at 9:45 a.m. Thursday at Girasoles, 24 Greensboro Highway, Watkinsville. Heidi Fingar, an exercise and nutrition "guru" from Bluffton, S.C., will share five steps that helped her with her addictive relationship with food and offered her healing and hope. Free child care available for small children. Tickets are $15.50. Reservations required by Monday. (706) 769-6909 or email information@athenschristian.org.

Bethlehem First UMC: 709 Christmas Ave., Bethlehem. Communion service at 8:30 a.m. and contemporary celebration at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Traditional and alternative worship services at 11 a.m. Sunday. Chapel service at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the campground outdoor amphitheater at Fort Yargo in Winder. A service will be held at Fort Yargo each Sunday through Labor Day weekend. All campground guests are invited. Heart Healthy Seniors from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Fun With Crocheting from 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Meal and ministry at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday with dinner. (770) 867-3727 or www.bigwhitechurch.com.
Black's Creek Baptist Church: 3754 Black's Creek Church Road, Commerce. Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and a homecoming service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The service will include a building dedication for the new family life center. Fellowship will follow the service in the new building. Revival kickoff at 7 p.m. with singing by Clarke Kesler and Friends and at 7 p.m. Monday-Through Wednesday. Pastor David Shivar will provide the message. (706) 247-4416.
Briarwood Baptist Church: 1900 Robinhood Road, Watkinsville: The following discipleship classes will begin in the fall: Kay Arthur's "Keeping Your Focus When Your Dreams Are Shattered: A Study of Joseph" begins Wednesday. Workbook is $12. Stormie Ormartian's "The Power of A Praying Wife" begins Wednesday. Workbook is $16. Beth Moore's "A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place" begins Sept. 11. Workbook is $18. Gary Smalley's "Hidden Keys to Loving Relationships" begins Sept. 11. No cost. Philip Yancey's "What's So Amazing About Grace?" begins Sept. 11. Workbook is $10. Kay Arthur's Precept Study "Daniel - Part 1" begins Sept. 11. Workbook is $24. "Pearls in the Parables," a study of various parables in the Bible, begins Sept. 11. No Cost. Child care is provided for all studies. (706) 769-7660 or www.briarwoodbaptist.net.
Central Baptist Church: 720 Danilesville Road. Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. Homecoming at 11 a.m. Sunday. Former pastor Ben Glosson will be the guest speaker. Wednesday evening service at 7 p.m. (706) 353-7400.
Clifford Grove Baptist Church: 2741 Callaway Road, Rayle, will conclude its revival at 7:30 tonight. Dr. Jonathon Carter will be the guest revivalist. (706) 274-3742.
Crafters Wanted: The Currahee Arts and Craft Fest will be held from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 3 at Christ Fellowship Church, off Highway 17, Toccoa. Local area artists and crafters are needed. Handmade crafts only, no re-sale items. Booth spaces are 10x10 and are $35 for the day. Singers, bands and dance groups also are needed to entertain shoppers. All groups are welcome including square dance groups, folk music, country or bluegrass music groups and others. For more information, email curraheecraftfest@gmail.com or call (407) 539-4440.
Crooked Creek Baptist Church: 6202 Jefferson River Road. Homecoming at 10 a.m. Sunday. Revival and missions conference at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and at 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Evangelist Darrell Hayes will be the guest speaker, with highlights from visiting missionaries from around the globe. (706) 548-4233.
Danielsville Gospel Barn: 444 Rogers Mill Road, will have a singing at 7 p.m. Saturday featuring Kyle Barber and Voices One. (706) 788-3477.
Fairfield Baptist Church: Highway 29 N., Danielsville. Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Homecoming on Sunday. Pastor Stanley Bolden will deliver the message. Dinner will follow the service. (706)795-3574.
Fair Play Baptist Church: 1375 Fair Play Church Road, Hull, will conclude its revival at 7:30 tonight. Pastor Rodney A. Lackey will be the guest revivalist. (706) 369-3420.
Flatwoods Pentecostal Holiness Church: 2353 Dr. George Ward Road, Elberton. The Bledsoes from Dobson, N.C., will minister in song and word during the service at 10:10 a.m. Sunday. Lunch will follow. Open to the public. (706) 283-8988.
Food Ministry: There's Hope for the Hungary will distribute boxes of food to anyone in need from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday at Hull Baptist Church, off Highway 72 at 73 Charlie Bolton Road, Hull. (706) 548-1196.
Friendship Baptist Church: 275 Friendship Church Road, Danielsville. Vacation Bible school reunion from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday. All who attended VBS this year are invited to go back to the Big Apple for fun and prizes. Awana club members, youth and children interested in attending Awana and youth groups at the church are invited to get more information. Awana clubs and youth will begin regular meetings at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31. (706) 795-3043.
Fundraiser for Athens Homeless Shelter: Bigger Vision Community Shelter will host a silent and live auction fundraising event for the Athens Homeless Shelter from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Athens First United Methodist Church, 327 N. Lumpkin St. There will be multiple items to bid on, as well as the construction materials needed to complete the renovations at Athens Homeless Shelter. Refreshments. Free admission. For more information, visit www.BiggerVisionAthens.org or call (706) 207-3003.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church: 800 West Lake Drive. Sunday school at 10 a.m. Sunday, informal blended worship at 8:45 a.m. and traditional worship at 11 a.m. Sunday. (706) 548-3329.
Ila Men's Fellowship: Ila Men's Fellowship will meet at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Ila restaurant in Ila for breakfast and fellowship. Clayton Bryant will be the guest speaker. A non-denominational group that meets the third Sunday of the month. All men in the community are invited.
Moon's Grove Baptist Church: 1985 Moon's Grove Church Road, Colbert. Revival at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and at 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. Dr. J. Robert White, executive director of the Georgia Baptist Convention, will be the guest speaker. Nursery provided. (706) 795-2063.
Neal's Grove Baptist Church: 900 Sims Bridge Road, Commerce. Homecoming service at 11 a.m. Sunday. Revival at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. Deacon's celebration at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 11. Mass choir anniversary at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 24. Email nealsgrove@yahoo.com or (706) 335-2106.
New Hope AME Church: 2512 Highway 53, Hoschton. Homecoming at 11 a.m. Sunday. Dinner will follow the service. The church's recently appointed pastor, the Rev. Karen Bennett, will be the speaker at the homecoming service. Revival at 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. Gospel singing with One Accord Gospel with Joe Swinney of Athens will perform Monday, the Revive Gospel Singers will perform Tuesday and the Male Chorus of Bush Chapel in Winder will perform Wednesday. The Rev. Charles Dickey will be the guest speaker Monday, the Rev. Julia Demory will be the guest speaker Tuesday, and the Rev. Lynn Hill will be the guest speaker Wednesday. (706) 654-2324.
Piney Grove Baptist Church: 241 Piney Grove Road, Comer. Homecoming and family and friends day at 11:15 a.m. Sunday. Dinner will follow the service. Revival at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Aug. 26. Pastor Theodes Johnson and the Springfield Corner Baptist Church family will be the guests Wednesday, Pastor Jeffrey Marion and the St. Paul and New Jerusalem Church families will be the guests Thursday, and Pastor H.L. Dotson and the Fork Creek Baptist Church family will be the guests Aug. 26. (706) 783-2075.
Poplar Spring Baptist Church: 4214 Athens Highway, Jefferson. Homecoming at 11 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. Kenneth Sims will deliver the message. Dinner will follow the service. Revival at 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday. The Rev. R.E. Cooper will be the guest speaker. Music provided by a visiting choir each night. Open to the public. (770) 725-5751.
Shiloh Baptist Church: 100 Buddy Christian Way, will conclude its revival at 7:30 tonight. The Rev. Nathan Durham will be the speaker at the revival. Open to the public. (706) 549-9166.
Royston Grove Baptist Church: 137 Baker St., Royston, will conclude its revival at 7 tonight. The Rev. Roy L. Thomas will be the guest speaker. (706) 245-7132 or (706) 245-9425.
St. James UMC: 111 West Lake Drive. Worship at 8:30, 9:40 and 10:50 a.m. Sunday. Spiritual Gifts Discovery class at 6 p.m. Wednesday. (706) 548-1680 or www.sjumc.org.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens: 780 Timothy Road. Allen Jones will discuss "The Science of Happiness" during the forum at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Children's religious education classes and nursery during the 11 a.m. service. Worship at 11 a.m. titled "Have Mercy." www.uuathensga.org or (706) 546-7914.