I did not realize until recently that I should care whether my juice is from China. But now I do care – and you should too.
The local food movement is big-time these days. The number of farmers markets has more than doubled in the past 10 years. There are even stores that specialize in locally grown and sourced goods. But if you go to an “ordinary” grocery store looking, you will probably buy food grown and manufactured all over the world. Maybe you’re fine with food from halfway around the globe. I am. But wouldn’t you like to know where it comes from?
Lately I’ve been reading food labels to find out how much salt and hidden sugar items contain. And now I have another reason to read them carefully – and to examine other parts of packaging besides the label. Finding out where packaged food ingredients are grown or manufactured can be a treasure hunt, with hidden clues that puzzle and surprise even the most determined food shopper.
Our story begins with my good deed for the day. Trying to be a good daughter, I do my mom’s grocery shopping. The store near her apartment is huge. Honestly, I treat going there as a cross between a field trip and a shopping triathlon. The selection of items is so phenomenal that sometimes I have to just stop and stare at the shelves and display cases. Simply walking from the produce section to the dairy case provides at least ¼ of the steps of my daily Fitbit goal. Can you tell that I’m a city girl and that she lives in the suburbs?
The last item on her list was apple juice. Once again stunned at the number of brand and type choices, I grabbed a bottle of unsweetened apple juice, thinking that I was on the home stretch. Just before putting it in my cart, I read the label; while the apples were grown in the US, the apple juice concentrate was from Argentina and China as well as the US. I don’t know about food safety in Argentina, but remembered flaps about Chinese garlic and milk. I decided not to buy that bottle. It may not be totally rational, but I wanted to avoid buying juice with Chinese concentrate until I could research whether there are safety concerns about that ingredient. The other type of juice from the same company may have listed the source of the ingredients, but I couldn’t find it.
Then I moved onto other brands. Some gave the source of the apples on the label, but lightly printed the source for the concentrate on the plastic bottle itself. Others gave the source of both the apples and the concentrate on the bottle in print difficult to read under harsh fluorescent light.
Finally, I found that the two store brands had different sourcing. The “regular” juice had Chinese concentrate, while the organic version had concentrate from Turkey and Argentina. I bought the latter.
Fifteen minutes after beginning my search, I had eye-strain and a bottle of apple juice that did not contain concentrate from China. But how many of us have the time and patience to check each can, jar, and bottle? And why do manufacturers make it so difficult to find that information?
PS – My research online afterwards turned up controversy over the use of rotten apples in China and questions about whether arsenic levels found in juice from that country are adequately monitored. It was possible (though not easy) to avoid Chinese juice concentrate in bottled apple juice, and even if I had bought a bottle containing that ingredient, it’s unlikely that it would have harmed my mom, given how little juice she drinks. Still, reports of lax Chinese food safety practices are disquieting. For the time being, I’ll avoid ingredients from China when there is a reasonable alternative. Still, how much time am I willing to devote to carrying out that resolution?
Dominic says
This is a definite problem and the juice producers manage to hide the info very well or not give it at all on their packaging.
I checked every avail brand at a local wal-mart and all had Chinese concentrate..I have a bottle of Stop & Shop juice Nature’s Promise and it has NO info as to its source.
Tried to get info on line..No luck.. We need clear and readable info posted on these products.
Laura says
I definitely agree Dominic. Thanks for stopping by.
Barbara Robb says
I was very upset when I bought Motts apple juice because I trusted the name and read in very faint print after I finished the bottle that the apples came from poland and the ukraine. What is wrong with buying all your apples from USA
Laura says
Barbara, Can’t answer your question but I’m glad you’re reading labels.
Dd says
Part of the problem is that people expect high quality for, but don’t want to pay for it. They want to pay $2 for a half gallon of apple juice, and expect to get the highest quality juice. The US can’t produce enough apples to satiate the country’s demand, and the apples that we are producing, will go into high quality apple juice. You can’t have it both ways. You either get cheap food, or you get good food. You can’t complain when a half gallon of apple juice costs $6, if you want the best juice.
Dave says
That’s not the problem. The problem is the bottlers and companies not revealing WHAT you are getting for “$2 for a half gallon of apple juice”
VO says
Tree Top apple juice is made here and it is priced fairly.
Lee says
Not entirely so. I live in Washington State and it is a well-known fact that a high percentage of the apples and other fruit here are shipped to Japan and other countries. So the U.S. does produce enough for the U.S. We grow it therefore we should be getting the best of it. Canada also produces a lot of apples etc. Tree Top juice is local, co- op, entirely northwest grown and bottled. It is not expensive and is an excellent product. The main concern is arsenic in the apple juices coming from China unchecked and fed to our babies. Since the average consumer cannot test for this at home, it would seem wise not to purchase such brands as Mott’s.
Ara says
Same with Honest kids juice. I couldn’t find anything as to where it came from.
marlene Bradley says
also from China. I dont buy Motts, Real Lemon from China also. see the lable.
Claire in Springfield says
Yours is better than mine. My Motts 128 oz. bottle (one gallon) from WalMart is embossed on the top left shoulder “CO NC FROM CHINA TURKEY”. Poland and Ukraine are closer geographically and culturally. I remember Motts in the mid-fifties; it tasted watery then and more so now.
Jennifer says
How do you know if it is from China if it’s not marked on the bottle at all? Curious about Kedem.
Laura says
Jennifer, That’s a great question. I found that many containers of juice show the origin of the grapes in miniscule print that is probably designed to satisfy a legal requirement, but is barely legible no matter how good your eyes. I did come across a few containers that listed where the grape juice was produced, but not the origin of the grapes. I’d suggest contacting the company.
Darin Davis says
It is cleverly disguised but some where they must put on the label or print on the bottle that the concentrate comes from China.
Kathy says
Hi,
I too rarely buy apple juice but on this given day I decided to buy some for variety. This juice is ShopRite’s new organic line: Wholesome Pantry. After checking for sugar content I noticed stamped on the body of the bottle that the apples used in the juices making were from China. How can Wakefern : ShopRite’s parent company be certain that it is organic? I read several current articles that shed light on China’s use of various pesticides on their apples. What concerns me even more is that parents are willing to spend a bit more for these products and they may not be what they think they are; wholesome. I am quite sure I won’t be buying this “organic” product and will be reading labels more carefully!
Laura says
Kathy, I can understand your concerns. I don’t know what efforts ShopRite takes to assure that its products from China are truly organic. Glad I was able to give you food for thought on this subject.
Dd says
I can assure you that none of the food from China is organic in any way.
Jura Metall says
I think that in the EU that is one of the requirements that all fruits and vegetables need to meet: their origin needs to be identified. There is less information about calories and daily requirements, but that piece of information is mandated.
Laura says
Thanks for that piece of information Jura. I don’t live in the EU and I’m not familiar with EU food source labelling requirements. Understanding the source of ingredients is so important, especially that a consumer can decide whether the country(countries) of origin are ones that the consumer feels comfortable with in terms of their pesticide regulations.
TSandy says
Martinelli (found at Costco) is the only apple juice I buy. Currently it’s the only brand of apple juice that comes entirely from US grown apples. If for some reason I couldn’t buy Martinelli we would drink another juice. America grows the second largest crop of apples globally and yet our apple products have ingredients from other countries? Shame on big agra corporations! I can all my family’s apple products- applesauce, apple pie filling purchased directly from a local organic apple orchard.
Laura says
TSandy, I love Martinelli’s and had no idea that it’s the only brand of juice entirely from US grown apples – good to know. After writing this post, I began looking at apple juice labels and it’s amazing how many include apples from many other countries. As you said, given our apple crops, that’s a shame. And particularly bad when you consider that some countries, like China, have no or loose regulation on the use of pesticides in agriculture.
jack says
Martinelli’s does still claim to be from US grown apples, but the question is, do you trust them, and every one of their suppliers? Any company so cheap as to stop including little plastic caps with their bottles isn’t to be trusted, if you ask me.
Who knows for certain where all their juice actually comes from? Any company cutting pennies per bottle is probably squeezing everywhere. They could always claim they had no idea their sources were mixing in non-American apple juice. We all know how ridiculously greedy American corporations are nowadays. It all starts at the top. Their executives say to cut costs, and the underlings do whatever it takes to make upper management happy. Just look the other way sometimes. Don’t ask too many questions. We all know how that works.
I worked for JP Morgan Chase, and was routinely told to falsify my records. “Just keep your mouth shut and do what you’re told.”
After pulling such a petty little stunt as discontinuing plastic caps, I don’t trust Martinelli’s anymore.
Lee says
Tree Top apple juice is 100% northwest grown and produced by co-op farmers including some of my relatives here in Washington State. Hopefully you can get it where you shop.
Craig says
The article mentions ” flaps about Chinese garlic and milk” and after researching other Chinese exports they are notorious for shipping products to other countries for further distribution so the end product no longer states China. With that being said it may be worth the time to research if TUR/ARG (Turkey and Argentina) produce their apple concentrate locally or is it imported in some form from China and processed for export?
Laura says
Craig, That does sound like an interesting topic for further research. If you find out anything, I hope you’ll let me know. I haven’t seen anything on that topic yet.
Sue Bitsko says
I have been buying Minute Maid apple Juice boxes because it did not contain any ingredients or compounds from China. Recently, the packaging changed, including the addition of a large black geometric shape on each juice box. I rechecked the ingredients, only to find that it now included concentrate from “…China!” I’ll need to keep looking.
Laura says
As my grandmother would have said – oy. But good for you, checking labels and not relying upon what a previous label used to say or a previous batch used to contain.
bill anderson says
June 18, 2019 Tue
Just got some tomato juice from the Government senior food bank & there is no listing as 2 where came from—only said BOTTLED IN USA—that was a red flag so i called the company —receptionist I talked 2 didn’t know & couldnt find out–said she was going to e mail someone & would call or email me back.. that was several hours ago–still waiting—not going 2 hold my breath–I’ll pass out!–This is a coverup—most likely the concentrat came from china..This should be against the law–we have a right 2 know where concentrate comes from–especially china. The company is NorthLand out of Port Washington NY–866-719-5215 The problem is they deliberately lie 2 the public by not disclosing where it came from—because they know the majority of folk would boycott it knowing it came from China, or some other bogus place.
Laura says
Bill, Wow, you’re quite persistent. I agree that we have a right to know where the juice concentrate comes from. Thanks for sharing your experience.
HB says
A very well written and researched article…thanks.
My strategies for avoiding juice from China include-
Buying Martinelli apple juice, as was mentioned in the other comment. They also have small bottles for those who are looking for an alternative to China-souced juice boxes.
Buying white grape juice instead of apple juice. Certain brands are owned by farmer’s cooperatives, and those use their own USA-grown grapes, not foreign-sourced ones
Switching to apple cider, which is usually available in the refrigerated section. Many of these brands are locally sourced.
Laura says
HB, Thanks. I agree with all of your strategies – smart!
Bill O. says
While traveling almost 10 years ago my wife asked if I’d get a 6 pack of Motts apple juice for her to drink in the car as she wasn’t too fond of soda. Stopped in a service station/convenience store and purchased 2 as we were doing a long road trip. That night she got sick with intestinal problems . Not having anything but our normal diet the rest of the day, she asked me to check the juice. In small print on the neck of the bottles, one 6 pack said made in China, which was one of the bottles I gave her, the other was stamped made in USA. I threw both 6 packs away and haven’t bought Motts juice or any food product labeled Made in China since.
Laura says
Bill – What a story! Show the importance (for many reasons) of reading labels on food items. Hope all is well with you and your wife now.
bill says
I live in northern wisconsin, visit Bayfield, WI for the best apple juices and ciders around, all grown and processed right at the orchards. I’m not a salesman, so look it up yourselves and you’ll see.
Laura says
Bill, I’d love to buy some – Any idea if they are sold on the East Coast (mid-Atlantic)?
Wanda says
If its made in Northern Wi I wonder if they distribute to other parts? I live in Wi but going to Bayfield is an 8 hour round trip drive for us. If one could find the name and phone number of who bottles it there then it would be easy to call them to find out if they distribute it any where else in Wi Do you know the name they put on the bottle of juice since you do purchase it? Your help in this is sincerely appreciated. Thank you
Laura says
Wanda, Sorry I don’t know the name they put on the juice.
Larry Giangregorio says
Amazing…I recently switched from Florida Natural OJ to Apple Juice…Now I will go back to OJ.. It comes from Florida…Not China….Too bad as I like apple juice…Comments say that Martinelli Apple Juice at Costco is America Made from American apples. I may try that product…Apple juice is as American as Apple Pie…
Do not understand the rationale for importing something we have in abundance here in America….
Laura says
Larry, I didn’t notice the source of the apple juice until shortly before I wrote this blogpost. Now I check whenever I buy juice. Amazing how just noticing something like that changes the way one shops.
Maureen says
If companies won’t have manufacturing done in USA or Canada, and therefore not hiring in our countries, why should I buy their products? Also, as mentioned , China’s regulations leave much to be desired.and how much value is in a food product that has to travel a great distance, perhaps not even in cool conditions? Fish is another product– hard to find a brand not processed in china. It is a pain to read labels, but quite important I think.
Mario Ortega says
I was pouring juice into my cup while it was still in the fridge. The lighting illuminated the small country of orgin impressed but not colored into the plastic bottle. I had purchased some grape juice as well. It had hidden info as well. I did not appreciate finding this out this way.
Laura says
I share your frustration. Hiding the country of origin is sneaky – and intended to deceive the unwary consumer.
Beth Walsh says
Any info about Indian Summer Apple Juice?
I know it says made from US apples. I believe it used to be made 100% in the USA, but now only says Made from USA Apples.
I’d like to know WHERE the juice is made?
Laura says
Beth, Afraid I don’t know anything about that brand of juice. Maybe you could contact the manufacturer?
Tony says
I know this is late, but I work at a Juice Plant in WA state, and the majority of apple juice we make is from concentrate shipped by Treetop, and the majority of recipes say “no china apple.” The brands we make that say “no china apple” are Great Value, Signature Select, Treetop, Krogers, Winco, and a couple others I can’t recall off the top of my head. The concentrate comes in tankers from Prosser and the Tri Cities, where we have many apple orchards. I hope this helps you make choices in the future.
Laura says
Tony, Many thanks for this info – quite helpful to me and many others I’m sure, in choosing which juice to buy.
Tony says
Do keep in mind that things like Ascorbic acid are manufactured in china, and that is a common additive to nearly every juice made. And Ascorbic is just Vitamin C. Also, although I’m sick of doing so (burnt out) I’d have no concerns drinking the juice we make.
Jeanne O'Brien says
I have been extremely concerned about the sources of food ever since hearing about our pigs and chickens being shipped to China where who knows what happens to them. I called Target corporate about ham I had purchased and he refused to give me any information saying it was propiatory information that would not be disclosed. We should have a right to know where our food has been. Does anyone know of any groups that are fighting for food transparency as well as informing people about what goes on with all our food? FYI, I have learned that “made in Canada” requires only 51 percent of the ingredients to have been from Canada whereas “product of Canada” requires that 98:percent of ingredients must be from Canada. This entire food thing is an abomination.
Laura says
Thanks for your thoughtful comment Jeanne. I didn’t know about the difference between “made in Canada” an “product of Canada” but it doesn’t surprise me. I agree that we have a right to know where our food (and other products) come from.
Ricky infante says
Hi just bought old orchard apple juice from local grocery store, and the taste is different. I’ve been buying from the grocery store and drinking the same kind of apple juice, wondering if there are fake old orchard apple juice moving around.
Laura says
Ricky, Hmmm. that does sound sketchy. No idea what’s going on but if you find out, please let me know.
mav says
Apple juice is apple stripped off of everything but the sugars and water. You have already made a nutritionally terrible choice and yet you are concerned about where the apples came from? Wherever they came from, none of the apple goodness is in that bottle of juice.
Wendy says
It’s not just juice btw, so look at ALL labels, especially the canned and portable containers of fruit and vegetables. Quite often those are from China – which is hard to believe, but so many corporations have sold their souls for the almighty dollar. And since the US amended the country of origin label for certain cuts of beef and pork https://www.ams.usda.gov/press-release/usda-amends-country-origin-labeling-requirements-final-rule-repeals-beef-and-pork you are left to fend for yourself or look for specifically labeled US Farmed and raised meat.
Richard says
To support the comments of the Treetop employee above, TreeTops website says All its brands are 100% apples sourced and processed in US. TreeTop has several “not from concentrate” pasterized bottled apple juices which are easy to find in California. Dont know how widely they are distributed elsewhere. The also have bulkboxes of single serving apple sauce.
Laura says
Richard, Thanks for the info.
Olive says
I lived in Washington state for many years and from what I learned, we import apples for our products from other countries—even though we are one of the largest global producers—because our apples are more valuable to sell overseas than they are for us to use them here. When I learned this information, the example given was that Washington apples are super popular in Japan, where they are sold for much higher prices than you could get here..
So it kind of goes along the lines of what someone mentioned about we want cheap food and it’s cheaper for companies to make apple juice with apples from other countries that aren’t as highly valued than it is to make them with domestically grown apples.