FAQs

Yes, fresh, frozen and canned fruit, as well as 100% juice, each count toward daily fruit servings and provide key nutrients to support a healthy lifestyle. In fact, the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and leading health organizations state that 100% fruit juice can be part of a healthy diet and can help people meet their daily goals for fruit intake. 100% juice, like 100% grape juice, is a nutrient-dense beverage that provides vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant nutrients, like polyphenols. Additionally, 100% juice contains only naturally occurring fruit sugars and no added sugars. For more on the science behind 100% fruit juice, download our 100% Fruit Juice & Health fact sheet.

An 8-oz serving of our 100% grape juice contains 140 calories and counts as 2 servings (1 cup) of fruit. Click here for additional information on Welch’s 100% Grape Juice.

MyPlate, created by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is a visual to help people follow the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which emphasize that a healthy diet includes an array of colorful produce. MyPlate encourages Americans to make half their plate fruits and vegetables to help meet daily produce recommendations. As a complement to whole fruit, 100% fruit juice can help meet daily fruit needs. Just one 4-oz. glass of 100% juice counts as 1 serving (1/2 cup) of fruit. For further recommendations, visit choosemyplate.gov.

Named for its birthplace of Concord, MA, the Concord grape is one truly American Superfruit. This one-of-a-kind, dark purple grape is bold, delicious and delivers natural plant nutrients called polyphenols. Not only do polyphenols give Concord grapes their signature purple color, research has shown that they can also deliver benefits to promote health. In fact, 20 years of research shows that 100% grape juice made with Concord grapes helps support a healthy heart. And, while more research is needed, preliminary studies suggest that it may provide benefits in other areas of health, including cognitive function.

Concord grapes are distinct from other grapes, including many table grapes, because they have a thick, dark purple skin and crunchy seeds.

Dark purple seeded grapes, like the Concord grape, have more polyphenols than many table grapes, because these healthy plant nutrients are concentrated in the seeds as well as in the colorful skin. In fact, the darker the grape color, the more polyphenols you’ll likely find.

Fresh Concord grapes are difficult to find: they have a very short harvest season and grow only in specific regions of North America. Plus, they are delicate and don’t travel well. Whole Concord grapes are used to make 100% grape juice, with no added sugars. So, by drinking Welch’s 100% Grape Juice, you can be sure you’re getting the heart-health benefits offered by the Concord grape. What’s more, in moderation and as a complement to whole fruit, Welch’s 100% Grape Juice is a delicious and easy way to squeeze more fruit into a healthy diet. Every 4-oz. glass serves up 1 serving (1/2 cup) of fruit with no added sugar.

Welch’s 100% Grape Juice has many of the same heart-healthy benefits as red wine. While the alcohol in red wine, when consumed in moderation, has been shown to benefit heart health, Welch’s 100% Grape Juice can be an option for those that choose not to drink alcoholic beverages. Research suggests that, in addition to the alcohol, the natural plant nutrients (polyphenols) in red wine can play a role in supporting heart health, and many of these same polyphenols can also be found in Concord grapes and Welch’s 100% Grape Juice. To build on that, 20 years of research says that 100% grape juice made with Concord grapes can help support a healthy heart.

Welch’s 100% White Grape Juice is made with a blend of grapes, including the Niagara grape grown in North America by Welch’s network of family farmers. As a complement to whole fruit, Welch's 100% White Grape Juice is a delicious and refreshing way to squeeze more fruit into a healthy diet. A 4-oz. glass of Welch’s 100% White Grape Juice counts as one serving (½ cup) of fruit with no added sugar.

All fruits and vegetables are important, and most Americans aren’t getting enough in their diets. It’s also important to get a variety of produce from a wide range of colors since the vitamin, minerals and plant nutrients found in fruits and vegetables can vary. In particular, people are falling short on getting enough purple produce, which accounts for only 3% of total fruit and vegetable intake. According to a national survey, drinking and eating purple and blue fruits and vegetables is associated with healthier eating patterns in children and adults, and overall better health in adults. For information on why purple is important, visit Think Purple for Heart Health.

No, there's absolutely no sugar added to our 100% juice products. The grams of sugar you see on our labels actually refer to the naturally occurring sugars found in the fruit used to make our products. And, according to MyPlate (choosemyplate.gov), 100% fruit juice is a nutrient-dense beverage choice and can help families achieve daily recommendations for fruit servings.

All of Welch’s products are caffeine-free.

No, you can be assured that no MSG is used in any of our products.

Pectin is a substance derived from fruit, which yields a gel. To help our products gel, we use pectin in our jellies, jams, and spreads. The particular pectin we use is derived from apples or citrus peel.

Welch’s ready-to-drink 100% Grape Juice and juice cocktails do not contain any preservatives. However, Welch’s ready-to-drink 100% White Grape Juice does contain the preservative potassium metabisulfite, which is added to prevent browning and maintain color. Welch’s Sparkling Juice Cocktails also contain potassium metabisulfite, as well as the preservative sodium benzoate. Many of our frozen concentrates and shelf stable concentrates contain sulfites to maintain flavor and color.

Most of our jellies, jams and fruit spreads do not contain preservatives. As long as the containers are refrigerated after opening, they should maintain their freshness for several months. Due to lower sugar levels, our reduced sugar jelly and spread do use a preservative to maintain freshness after the product is opened.

Based on availability, the gelatin used in Welch’s Fruit Snacks may be pork or beef based.

All Welch’s 100% juices and natural spreads have been verified non-GMO through a rigorous certification by The Non-GMO Project. Beginning in 2024, customers will find the Non-GMO Project Verified logo on all 100% juice products. Welch’s natural spreads already display this logo to help customers easily identify Welch’s products without GMOs in store. 

All Welch’s branded products are gluten-free! This call-out may not appear printed on all packages but Welch’s products are safe for consumers with sensitivity to gluten.

Welch’s 100% juices, sparkling beverages and natural spreads are made without high-fructose corn syrup.

Welch’s products are produced in various facilities, some of which may not be allergen-free. Please contact our customer service team if you have allergen concerns about a specific product.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines these terms, and the definitions can be lengthy. However, as a general rule: Jelly is made from fruit juice; Jam is made from pureed fruit; Preserves are made from whole fruit; Spreads can be made from juice, whole fruit, and/or pureed fruit.

All juice manufacturers are required to state "from concentrate" on their front label if their product contains any juice from concentrate. "From concentrate" means that the juice from the fruit is concentrated, a process that removes the water to aid with product storage. Later, during juice bottling, water is added back to the concentrate to create a 100% juice. Reconstituted juice and not from concentrate juice both deliver nutrition from the fruit with no added sugar and each 4-ounce glass of 100% juice provides 1 serving (1/2 cup) of fruit.

Welch’s products are available in grocery, convenience, dollar, drug and club stores nationwide!
Try our online Where to Buy tool to find our products at a retailer near you and check with your local store’s manager or customer service team if you can’t seem to find one of our products on shelves.

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We are aware of the recent draft guidance the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued to industry proposing new, more stringent maximum levels for lead in juice and juice blends. As a company owned by 700 family farmers, this is a deeply personal issue to us. We are extremely proud of the quality and safety of our products and support measures that ensure that all food products are safe — especially those we feed our children.

Third-party audits and testing confirm that all Welch’s juice products already are in compliance with this new FDA draft guidance. Moreover, all Welch’s juice is safe and strictly complies with all government regulations for juice — in the United States and in every country around the globe where our products are marketed.

We support FDA’s ongoing commitment to updated standards that are science-based, achievable and that continue to provide safe products for consumers.

“Heavy metals” is a broad classification that encompasses a variety of naturally occurring elements including many that are important for good health. Several heavy metals, such as iron, copper, zinc and manganese, are essential to healthy bodily functions. Iron is intentionally added to certain foods to enhance their dietary benefits.

Others, such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, are also naturally occurring elements present in the soil, air and water. Therefore, they are found in very low levels in many crops, including grains, vegetables and fruits. Any trace amounts of these naturally occurring elements present in Welch’s products are at levels below the guidance provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Third-party audits and testing confirm that all Welch’s juice products already are in compliance with FDA’s new draft guidance proposing new, more stringent maximum levels for lead in juices and juice blends and for already established guidelines for all other heavy metals. Moreover, all Welch’s juice is safe and strictly complies with all government regulations for juice — in the United States and in every country around the globe where our products are marketed.

Our family farmers have an unwavering commitment to product safety and quality. Our products are safe for all consumers, including children and their families.

Over the past 150 years, we have and continue to explore and implement ways to improve our products. We have made considerable progress. For example, as science and technology have evolved, so has our company’s ability to minimize heavy metal content to the lowest possible levels in our products. We have invested in research, development and technological processes that work toward this goal, and we take great pride and ownership in having best-in-class protocols in our industry.

Third-party audits and testing confirm that all Welch’s juice products already are in compliance with FDA’s new draft guidance proposing new, more stringent maximum levels for lead in juices and juice blends and for already established guidelines for all other heavy metals. Moreover, all Welch’s juice is safe and strictly complies with all government regulations for juice — in the United States and in every country around the globe where our products are marketed.

Welch’s takes very seriously its commitment to producing the highest quality and safest foods possible. As the manufacturer of foods and beverages that nourish families around the world, this is a deeply personal issue to us. Over the last 150 years, we have invested in research, development and technological processes to minimize the risk of lead and heavy metals. We take great pride and ownership in having best-in-class protocols in our industry. These include:

·       Imposing strict heavy metal standards on all our suppliers.

·       Conducting regular audits of supplier ingredients and facilities.

·       Sharing best practices with our suppliers.

·       Regularly testing incoming materials using third-party laboratories.

·       A thorough risk-based hazard analysis of all our ingredients and processes.

·       Testing to confirm levels in our finished product are well below the Federal guidelines.

Third-party audits and testing confirm that all Welch’s juice products already are in compliance with FDA’s new draft guidance proposing new, more stringent maximum levels for lead in juices and juice blends and for already established guidelines on all other heavy metals.  Moreover, all Welch’s juice is safe and strictly complies with all government regulations for juice — in the United States and in every country around the globe where our products are marketed.

Welch’s is committed to minimizing the presence of heavy metals in our products to the lowest possible levels and to be compliant with established FDA guidelines. We have invested in research, development and technological processes that work toward this goal. We take great pride and ownership in having best-in-class protocols in our industry.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a draft guideline for lead of 10 ppb in apple juice and 20 ppb for other juices and juice blends, including grape juice. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a limit of 15 ppb for lead in drinking water. These levels are based on exposure and risk. Published test results show that lead levels in Welch’s grape juice already are below EPA’s standard for drinking water, as well as FDA’s new draft guidance proposing new, more stringent maximum levels for lead in juices and juice blends, and for already established guidelines for all other heavy metals.

Welch’s juice and all of Welch’s products are completely safe. They already comply with all food safety regulations — in the United States and in every country around the globe where our products are marketed.

The lower action level for apple juice is based on the fact that apple juice is the most commonly consumed juice type by young children in the U.S. For apple juice, an action level of 10 ppb is estimated to reduce dietary exposure to lead for children by 46% at the 90th percentile consumption level. For other fruit juices and juice blends, an action level of 20 ppb is estimated to reduce dietary exposure to lead for children by 19% at the 90th percentile consumption level.

Similarly, people consume a significant amount of water on a daily basis — drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and more – so based on daily consumption, a person’s exposure to lead is much higher from water than from juice. Consequently, the limits set for water are slightly lower than the guidelines for juice, which is consumed at a much lower rate.

Published test results show that lead levels in Welch’s grape juice already are below EPA’s standard for drinking water, as well as FDA’s draft guidance standard for juice.

Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements present in the soil, air and water. Therefore, they also are found in very low levels in many crops, including grains, vegetables and fruits.

We never have and never would knowingly sell products that do not meet our strict standards for safety and quality, or those established by the Food and Drug Administration. We nourish our own families with our products.

Welch’s juice and all of Welch’s products are completely safe. Third-party audits and testing confirm that all Welch’s juice products already are in compliance with FDA’s new draft guidance proposing new, more stringent maximum levels for lead in juices and juice blends. Moreover, all Welch’s juice is safe and strictly complies with all government regulations for juice — in the United States and in every country around the globe where our products are marketed.

We are committed to the safest and highest quality products possible for your family and ours to enjoy.

Welch’s takes very seriously its commitment to producing the highest quality and safest foods possible. As the manufacturer of foods and beverages that nourish families around the world, this is a deeply personal issue to us. We have invested and continue to invest in research, development and technological processes to minimize the risk of lead and heavy metals. We take great pride and ownership in having best-in-class protocols in our industry. This includes conducting regular audits of supplier ingredients and facilities, regularly testing incoming materials using third-party laboratories and conducting testing to confirm levels in our finished product are well below the Federal guidelines.

Welch’s juice and all of Welch’s products are completely safe. They already comply with all food safety regulations — in the United States and in every country around the globe where our products are marketed.

Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements present in the soil, air and water. Therefore, they also are found in very low levels in many crops, including grains, vegetables and fruits. The Food and Drug Administration has published guidelines for these naturally occurring elements in juice. Welch’s ongoing third-party testing consistently shows that our products already comply with this recommendation. Grape juice does not present a greater risk than other beverages.

One might wonder why the FDA recommendations for lead levels in water are lower than recommendations for lead levels in juice. Here’s why: people consume a significant amount of water on a daily basis — drinking, cooking, brushing teeth and more – so based on daily consumption, a person’s exposure to lead is much higher from water than from juice. Consequently, the limits set for water are naturally slightly lower than the guidelines for juice, which is consumed at a much lower rate.

Again, published test results show that lead levels in Welch’s grape juice already are below EPA’s standard for drinking water, as well as FDA’s draft guidance standard for juice.

Any trace amounts of naturally occurring elements are at levels below the guidance provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Third-party audits and testing confirm that Welch’s products are below all Federal guidelines. Our commitment to quality and safety is why consumers can have confidence in our products in every state of our nation and around the world.

The scientific consensus on this topic is that limits of heavy metals should be based on exposure and risk. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established an action level of 15 ppb (parts per billion) for lead in drinking water; and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued guidance for 5 ppb for lead in bottled water, 10 ppb in apple juice and 20 ppb in juice and juice blends including grape juice.

People consume a significant amount of water on a daily basis — drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and more — so based on daily consumption, a person’s exposure to lead is much higher from water than from juice. Consequently, the limits set for water are slightly lower than the guidelines for juice, which is consumed at a much lower rate.

Published test results show that lead levels in Welch’s grape juice are below FDA’s guidance for juice and even below EPA’s standard for drinking water.

The Food and Drug Administration and the health professional community recommend a diet that includes a variety of age-appropriate healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, to obtain needed nutrients. For both children and adults, the USDA, in its 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, states that one-half cup of 100 percent fruit juice, such as grape juice, is the equivalent of one serving of whole fruit, making 100 percent fruit juice a convenient way to help meet the recommended daily servings of fruit in their healthy diet.

There is no benefit to dilute fruit juice.

Published test results show that lead levels in Welch’s grape juice are below FDA’s guidance for juice and even below EPA’s standard for drinking water.

All products produced and/or distributed in the United States must comply with Food and Drug Administration regulations and limits on heavy metals. Any trace amounts of these naturally occurring elements present in Welch’s products are at levels below the guidance provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Third-party audits and testing confirm this. Our commitment to quality and safety is why consumers can have confidence in our products in every state of our nation and around the world.

Welchs.com includes a comprehensive Q&A to assure consumers of our unwavering commitment to product safety and quality. Welch’s consumer response team (1-800-340-6870) is also available for any additional questions.

Welch’s does not and will not conduct or fund animal research.

Welch’s juice products are best consumed within 7-10 days after opening and should be stored in the refrigerator. For Natural Spreads, we advise consuming within 90 days after opening. All other Welch’s products should last until the best by date as long as they are stored properly.