Health
Walmart is recalling apple juice sold in 25 states due to high arsenic content
Topline
Walmart has voluntarily recalled nearly 10,000 cases of Great Value brand apple juice due to concerns about high arsenic levels. A recall that the Food and Drug Administration upgraded because the products may cause temporary side effects, although the agency has not shared any reports of illness.
The Walmart logo.
Key facts
Walmart recalled 9,535 cases of its 8-ounce Great Value apple juice bottles on August 15 after discovering that the bottles contained high levels of inorganic arsenic that exceed industry standards, according to a notification by the FDA.
The FDA upgraded the recall on Friday to a Class II recallmeaning that consuming the products could potentially cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects or where the likelihood of serious adverse health effects is remote.”
The FDA has not shared whether the affected juices have led to reports of side effects among customers.
Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages US Inc. has issued the voluntary recall, which applies to Walmart locations in 25 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
The best best before date for the affected products is December 28, 2024.
Forbes has contacted Refresco Beverages for comment.
Crucial quote
“The health and safety of our customers is always our top priority,” Walmart said in a statement shared with Forbes. “We have removed this product from our affected stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.”
Which states are affected by the apple juice recall?
The states involved in the apple juice recall are Alabama, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York , Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia.
Does apple juice have arsenic?
Yes, arsenic is found in some apple juice and other fruit juices. Arsenic is a chemical that occurs in the environment from both natural and man-made sources, such as volcanic eruptions, arsenic-containing rocks, arsenic-containing pesticides, or mining pollution, according to to the FDA. There are two types of arsenic: organic and inorganic. Inorganic arsenic is considered more dangerous, and apple juice is a source of inorganic arsenic exposure. The FDA monitors arsenic levels in apple juice and set a limit of 10 parts per billion for inorganic arsenic by 2023.
What health risks are associated with consuming arsenic?
The most common source of arsenic exposure is contaminated drinking water, but it can be found in low concentrations in other food products such as rice and fish because the chemical can occur in soil and water. according to at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Arsenic can affect a wide range of organs and systems, including the immune system, cardiovascular system, skin, endocrine system, nervous system, prostate glands, respiratory system, kidneys, bladder and liver, according to the NIEHS. Short-term exposure to high concentrations of arsenic can cause nausea, vomiting, bruising and numbness or a burning sensation in the hands and feet. according to to the FDA. Both forms of arsenic are known carcinogens, and so is long-term exposure associated with lung, skin, liver, kidney and bladder cancer. Childhood exposure to arsenic may increase the risk of developing bladder and lung cancer later in life research by the University of California, Berkeley. Some studies have found a link between exposure to low to moderate levels of arsenic and metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
Read more
FDA issues final guidance to industry on action level for inorganic arsenic in apple juice (The Food and Drug Administration)
