Tens of thousands of cases of apple juice sold at major retailers including Walmart, Walgreens and Aldi have additionally been recalled due to high arsenic levels.
According to the latest data from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approximately 141,298 products have been recalled due to containing inorganic arsenic in excess of the limits set by industry guidelines.
That figure is up from 9,535 cases first recalled in August, according to an earlier FDA report.
Refresco Beverages US Inc. issued both recalls, both of which are classified as Class II.
Recalls are classified according to the severity of the adverse effects that would result from releasing the product onto the market.
According to the FDA, Class II is issued when a product “has a low likelihood of causing serious injury or death, but may have the potential to cause adverse events that may have irreversible consequences.”
Cases of apple juice were shipped to stores across the country.
The affected brands were sold at major stores including Walmart, Weiss, Aldi, Walgreens, Market Basket, BJ's, Dollar General, Lidl US and Brooklyn Fair.
According to the FDA, arsenic can be present in food from the environments in which food is grown, raised, and processed, and it is impossible to prevent arsenic from entering the food supply.
However, exposure to certain levels can be harmful to human health, so the FDA monitors and regulates levels of arsenic in food.
Exposure to high levels of alcohol during periods of active brain development can cause adverse neurological effects, including learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and lower IQ.
“Fetuses, infants, and children are particularly vulnerable to the potential harmful effects of arsenic exposure because of their small body size and rapid metabolism and growth,” the FDA said.
Recall affected brands and destinations:
- Great Deals (8 oz): Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maine, New York, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, South Carolina.
- Great Deals (96 oz): Puerto Rico, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Maine, New York, Virginia.
- Market Basket 100% Apple Juice: Maine.
- Sounds good! 100% Apple Juice: Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida.
- Wyeth 100% Apple Juice: Pennsylvania, Maryland.
- Urban Meadow 100% Apple Juice: Pennsylvania.
- Nature's Nectar 100% Apple Juice: New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina.
- Wellesley Farm 100% Apple Juice: Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts.
- Solevita 100% Apple Juice: Virginia.
- Clover Valley 100% Apple Juice: South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, Indiana, New York.
- Tropical Delight: New York.
