That Cheap Bottle of Wine May Contain High Amounts of Arsenic

We all like to cut corners sometimes. Usually we don't think twice about spending a little less on that bottle of wine from the grocery store. Plus, isn't it good for our hearts?

However, there is a class action lawsuit happening in California right now that is claiming that several popular brands of wine have higher arsenic levels than they are legally allowed, actually 4 to 5 times more than the max allowed by the Environmental Protection Agency in drinking water. CBS News reports,

He tested more than 1,300 bottles of wine. Almost a quarter of them had levels higher than the EPA's maximum allowable amount of arsenic in drinking water: 10 parts per billion. No one can say for sure why, but Hicks noticed a pattern. "The lower the price of wine on a per-liter basis, the higher the amount of arsenic," he said.

Trader Joe's Two Buck-Chuck White Zinfandel, Menage a Trios Moscato, and The Wine Group's Franzia White Grenache  all tested well over the limit. While drinking something like this may not hurt you immediately, the effects over time could be dangerous.

While people are exposed to organic arsenic (arsenic is naturally occurring and foods can pick it up), it's the inorganic arsenic that can be potentially harmful. This can be found in cigarettes, highly polluted areas, and contaminated soils.

We'll have to wait and see about the results, but for the time being, I might just spend a few extra bucks on that bottle of wine I like to enjoy at night.

[via CBS News]

Are you a wine drinker? What do you think of the lawsuit? Tell us what you think below in the comment section.