If you recently purchased apple juice from Walmart, you should check to see if it is not subject to a recall before drinking it.
On August 15, Walmart voluntarily recalled nearly 10,000 cases of supermarket brand Great Value apple juice because it contained excessive levels of inorganic arsenic. On August 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) upgraded the recall to a Class II hazard, meaning that contact with the recalled product may cause temporary or serious health consequences.
To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.
Consumers need to know this.
Which apple juice product was recalled?
Great Value brand apple juice sold in a six-pack of 8-ounce plastic bottles (UPC 0-78742-29655-5) has been recalled. The expiration date for the recall is December 28, 2024.
Refresco Beverages, a Dutch company headquartered in Tampa, Florida, produces Great Value apple juice.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
The affected apple juice was distributed in all states on the South and East Coast, including all states in New England.
According to the FDA, the following 25 states are affected: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia.
Puerto Rico and Washington, DC are also affected by the recall.
Further recalls: Check your freezers: Perdue recalls chicken contaminated with metal wire
Why is inorganic arsenic dangerous?
Although many foods and beverages contain safe amounts of organic arsenic, inorganic arsenic is a toxic chemical pollutant.
What happens if you drink the affected apple juice?
According to the FDA, you may experience short-term symptoms of exposure to inorganic arsenic, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bruising, muscle cramps, and burning in the hands or feet.
Long-term exposure is more dangerous because it can lead to skin diseases or cardiovascular diseases. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also classified inorganic arsenic as a carcinogen, i.e. a substance that can cause cancer.
Fortunately, the FDA reports that the levels found in apple juice should not be high enough to cause these serious health consequences.
USA Today’s Ahjané Forbes contributed to this report.
