Apple juice sold in Walmart stores east of the Mississippi has been recalled because it contains inorganic arsenic, the FDA said. EPA-EFE/MICHAEL REYNOLDS
Aug. 25 (UPI) – According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Refresco Beverages US Inc. has recalled 9,535 cases of 8-ounce Great Value brand apple juice from Walmart sales. The agency said the apple juice “contains inorganic arsenic above the limit established by industry guidelines” and upgraded the recall to Class II. This definition states that “a product in violation of regulations may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
According to the FDA, inorganic arsenic is more dangerous than organic arsenic. Long-term exposure has led to skin diseases, an increased risk of skin, bladder and lung cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease, it says.
Short-term contact can cause nausea, vomiting, bruising, and numbness or burning in the hands and feet, the FDA said.
The recalled apple juice was sold in six-packs with the UPC code 0-78742-29655-5 and is marked with a best-before date of December 2024.
The FDA has released an interactive online map showing the states where the juice was sold. All of the affected stores were east of the Mississippi River. Stores west of the river did not sell the recalled juice, according to the FDA.
