A current perspective on arsenic in wines: Analysis, speciation and changes in composition during production.

Arsenic, a naturally occurring metalloid found in certain foods, exists in various redox states and as inorganic and organic species, each with varying levels of toxicity. International regulatory bodies have imposed allowable maximums for total arsenic in wine ranging between 100 and 200 mu g/L. Typical commercial wine levels are within these limits. However, a better understanding of viticultural and enological practices impacting total arsenic and arsenic species in grapes and wines is needed to ensure levels remain low. This perspective discusses current information on factors impacting the arsenic content of grapes and wines and the analytical approaches for monitoring inorganic and organic species.