Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that more than 9,500 cases of apple juice sold at Walmart stores across the country were being recalled due to elevated levels of “inorganic arsenic.”
The juice was manufactured by Refresco Beverages US Inc and distributed by Walmart.
According to the FDA, the affected product was “Great Value” brand 8-ounce apple juice sold in a pack of six in PET plastic bottles.
The recalled juice has a UPC of 0-78742-29655-5 and a “best before” date of December 28, 2024.
According to an FDA announcement, the recall began on August 15 and was classified as a “Class II” recall on August 23.
According to the FDA, the products were sold at Walmart stores in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.
According to the FDA website, a “Class II” recall refers to a situation “in which use of or exposure to the violative product may result in temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects or is unlikely to result in serious adverse health effects.”
According to the FDA, apple juice was found to contain 13.2 ppb of arsenic. In June 2023, the FDA issued industry guidelines specific to apple juice, stating that the limit for inorganic arsenic should be 10 ppb.
According to the FDA website, arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral that is toxic to humans.
“The potential for long-term adverse health effects from consuming arsenic-contaminated foods depends on the arsenic concentration in the food, the age of the consumer, the duration, amount, and frequency of exposure to arsenic in food, and other concurrent exposures (either to arsenic from other sources, other contaminants, or beneficial nutrients),” the researchers said.
The FDA said exposure to high levels of arsenic is especially dangerous to young children and is “associated with adverse neurological effects, including learning disabilities, behavioral problems and reduced IQ.”
The FDA continues, “In adults, long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic has been associated with skin damage and an increased risk of skin, bladder, and lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease.”
Short-term exposure to “very high concentrations of inorganic arsenic” can cause a variety of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, bruising and even “numbness and burning” in the hands and feet, the researchers said.
Although arsenic is toxic, the mere presence of arsenic does not necessarily mean that a substance should be avoided altogether, the researchers added.
“Because many nutritious foods may contain contaminants, consumers should eat a variety of nutritious foods within and across major food groups, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy products and protein foods,” the FDA said.
FOX Business has reached out to Walmart for further comment on the recall.
