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While it may seem as American as apple pie, much of the apple juice filling those juice boxes and jugs on U.S. grocery shelves comes from China. Over the past 10 years, China, which produces up to 65 percent of the world’s apples, has become the top supplier of concentrate used in apple juice sold in the U.S., contributing more than 40 percent of the juice consumed here, compared with 22 percent from domestically produced apples, according to the U.S. Apple Association trade group.

ROBIN KACHANTONES/Special to DMN Both U.S. producers who use the foreign concentrate and fruit trade groups say the individual companies and the federal government insist that suppliers follow strict safety standards. Several firms said they also have auditors test the imported juice as well as conducting their own tests.

No warnings It’s important to note that there have been no major warnings about China-produced juice as there were earlier this year about toys from China, tainted toothpaste and pet food. Still, some consumers are registering concern with juice makers and on Web sites. And others simply do not know that the juice they’re giving their families comes from China.

Do most consumers know? Right now, probably not, said Michael Hansen, senior scientist for food safety with Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine. It would probably surprise people. Count among the unaware Garland resident Kathleen Brooks, who was taken aback when a Dallas Morning News reporter pointed out the concentrate from China stamp on the Kroger brand juice she had put in her cart. It would definitely make a difference knowing that, said Ms.