More than 9,500 cases of Great Value apple juice sold at Walmart stores nationwide have been recalled because they contained potentially harmful levels of inorganic arsenic, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
The recall affected eight-ounce plastic bottles sold in six-packs.
The FDA said the product's manufacturer, Refresco Beverages US, voluntarily initiated the recall after the apple juice was found to contain inorganic arsenic above “levels established by industry guidelines.”
Organic arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil and food sources. Inorganic arsenic, on the other hand, is more toxic than organic arsenic, and long-term exposure is known to lead to cancer, skin lesions and other health problems.
In 2023, the FDA finalized guidelines for manufacturers stating that inorganic arsenic in apple juice should be below 10 ppb. The recalled products were found to contain 13.2 ppb of inorganic arsenic.
The new apple juice recall has been classified as Class II by the FDA, meaning that serious health problems are unlikely to occur after consuming the recalled product. However, even Class II products can pose a threat and may cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects.”
It is unclear whether the recalled products are linked to any illnesses.
The Universal Product Code (UPC) for the recalled products is 0-78742-29655-5. The affected products have a use by date of December 28, 2024.
The products were distributed to Walmart stores in the following states:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Washington DC
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- new york
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Vermont
- West Virginia
In a statement health“The health and safety of our customers is always our top priority. We have removed this product from affected stores and are working with our supplier to investigate,” a Walmart spokesperson said.
Exposure to inorganic arsenic often occurs when people consume contaminated food or water. Food crops irrigated with contaminated water, industrial processes, and tobacco use can also lead to exposure to inorganic arsenic.
Immediate symptoms of arsenic poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat, and tingling in the hands and feet.
Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic can lead to chronic arsenic poisoning, which can cause persistent sore throat, digestive problems, skin pigmentation problems, and even cancer.
If you have any of the recalled products in your home, please discard them. If you have already consumed the apple juice, monitor yourself for any unusual symptoms and contact your healthcare professional if you notice any.
This isn't the only recall involving arsenic-tainted apple juice: earlier this year, shoppers were warned that about 25,000 cases of recalled Martinelli's apple juice may have contained unhealthy levels of arsenic.