NAPNAP Clarifies Misinformation in the Press

Sep 19, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Felicia K. Taylor, Director of Membership, Chapters & Communication
Phone:     856/857-9700                                                
Fax:         856/857-1600                                                
Email:      ftaylor@napnap.org 

Cherry Hill, NJ (September 19, 2011) - The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) would like to share information regarding a consumer TV show that aired last week claiming there is arsenic in apple juice and it is unsafe to drink. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “there is no evidence of any public health risk from drinking these juices; and they have been testing them for years.” Arsenic is present in the air, water and soil, and therefore, it is found in trace, harmless levels in many naturally sourced foods and beverages. 

NAPNAP President, Cheri Barber, DNP, RN, CRNP, states "Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) and other health care providers need to be aware of information that is being discussed by public figures in order to help educate parents and consumers about statements that do not have any scientific or medical evidence to support them."

NAPNAP encourages pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) and other healthcare providers to help clarify this misinformation with their patients who may be alarmed if they hear this in the media.  NAPNAP recommends that all children and adolescents limit consumption of 100% fruit juice to no more than 4-6 oz. per day and avoid consumption of fruit drinks and sodas entirely.   

For additional information, go to FDA’s website: Apple Juice is Safe to Drink - http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm271394.htm and Apple Juice and Arsenic Q&A - http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm271595.htm.

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) would also like to correct false statements made in the Republican presidential campaign that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is dangerous and can cause mental retardation. There is absolutely no scientific evidence that supports this statement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) both monitor the safety of the HPV and all other vaccines.  Clinical trials and monitoring data show that both vaccines approved to prevent HPV are very safe. HPV is the cause for all cases of genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer.  In the US, about 11,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and almost 4,000 die from this disease every year. 

For more information regarding the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine, please go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hpv/default.htm.

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NAPNAP is committed to improving the health care of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. An association of nearly 7,500 health care providers throughout the United States, NAPNAP has 48 Chapters nationwide. For more information, call 856/857-9700 or visit NAPNAP's Website at www.napnap.org.

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