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Walmart has recalled nearly 10,000 cases of apple juice in the US because it contained excessive arsenic levels.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that 9,535 cases of Great Value apple juice (8 ounces, sold in six-packs) were recalled after an investigation found that the product “contained inorganic arsenic in excess of the limit established by industry guidelines.”
The FDA said Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages US Inc. voluntarily recalled the item on August 15. Earlier this week, the recall was upgraded to Class II, which the federal agency says refers to “a situation in which use of or contact with an unlawful product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or in which the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
The recalled apple juice was sold in nearly 30 states and territories in the United States: Alabama, Connecticut, 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, Washington DC and West Virginia.
The recall affects Great Value apple juice cartons marked with a best before date of December 28, 2024 and the code CT89-6 on the bottles.
While arsenic – a naturally occurring mineral – is toxic to humans, inorganic arsenic is more toxic than organic arsenic and has been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a known human carcinogen. Studies have shown that “inorganic arsenic is more dangerous than organic arsenic and the health effects of exposure are more severe,” according to the FDA.
Short-term exposure to high concentrations of inorganic arsenic can cause nausea, vomiting, bruising, and numbness or burning in the hands and feet. In adults, long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic is associated with skin diseases and an increased risk of skin, bladder and lung cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease.
The FDA did not provide reports of possible injuries related to the apple juice recall, nor did it provide recommendations for affected Walmart customers.
The Independent has asked Walmart for comment.
