If you recently purchased apple juice from Walmart, you might want to check to make sure it isn't part of a recall before drinking it.
On August 15, Walmart announced it was voluntarily recalling approximately 10,000 cases of apple juice manufactured by its Great Value brand due to inorganic arsenic levels exceeding safety standards. On August 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the recall to a Class II concern, meaning that exposure to the recalled products may cause temporary or serious health problems.
To date, no illnesses have been reported related to this recall.
Here's what consumers need to know:
Which apple juice products have been recalled?
Great Value brand apple juice (UPC 0-78742-29655-5) sold in packs of six 8-ounce plastic bottles has been recalled. The recall has a best-by date of December 28, 2024.
Refresco Beverages, a Dutch company headquartered in Tampa, Florida, produces Great Value apple juice.
Where were the recalled products distributed?
The affected apple juice was distributed throughout the South and East Coast states, including throughout New England.
According to the FDA, the 25 states affected are: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.
The recall also includes Puerto Rico and Washington, DC.
Other recalls:Check your freezer: Perdue recalls chicken contaminated with metal wire
Why is inorganic arsenic dangerous?
Many food and beverage products contain safe levels of organic arsenic, but inorganic arsenic is a toxic chemical contaminant.
What happens if you drink affected apple juice?
According to the FDA, exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause short-term symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bruising, muscle cramps and a burning sensation in the hands and feet.
Long-term exposure is more dangerous as it can cause skin and cardiovascular diseases. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also lists inorganic arsenic as a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer.
Luckily, the FDA reports that concentrations in apple juice aren't likely to be high enough to seriously affect your health.
AhjanƩ Forbes of USA Today contributed to this report.