An increasing number of apple juices are being voluntarily recalled due to arsenic content. This new recall includes the Great Value Apple Juice brand sold in Walmart stores, which was already part of a previous voluntary recall, as well as brands sold in several other stores such as Aldi and Walgreens.
On August 26, a voluntary recall was initiated for 133,500 cases of Refresco Beverages US Inc. products.
Which products are affected by the apple juice recall? Where are they sold?
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the following products are affected by the recall:
- Affordable 8-ounce six-pack of apple juice; Walmart (Best before date indicated: December 26, 2024; December 27, 2024)
- Sold in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
- Inexpensive 96-ounce Apple Juice; Walmart (Best use by date indicated: December 26, 2024; December 27, 2024; December 28, 2024)
- Sold in Indiana, Ohio, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and Virginia.
- Market Basket 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz; Market Basket (Best Use by Date Listed: March 25, 2025)
- Nice! 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz; Walgreens (Best use by date listed: March 25, 2025)
- Sold in Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
- Weis 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz; Weis Markets (Best before date marked: March 25, 2025)
- Sold in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
- Urban Meadow 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz; Brooklyn Fare (Best by: March 26, 2025)
- Natures Nectar 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz; Aldi (Best by: March 26, 2025; March 27, 2025)
- Sold in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin.
- Wellsley Farms 100% Apple Juice; 96 oz; BJ’s and Walmart (best use by date listed: March 26, 2025)
- Sold in Florida, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
- Solevita 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz; Lidi US (Best before: March 27, 2025)
- Clover Valley 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz.; Dollar General. Best before date marked: March 27, 2025)
- Sold in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, New York and South Carolina.
Recalled products: Great Value apple juice recalled due to arsenic: FDA, Walmart and manufacturer issue statements
Concerns about arsenic levels
The federal agency said the apple juice products “contain inorganic arsenic that exceeds the limit set by industry guidelines.”
The FDA adds: “Current research suggests that inorganic arsenic is more dangerous than organic arsenic.” The federal agency also says that long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic in adults is linked to skin diseases, an increased risk of skin, bladder and lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Short-term exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause nausea, vomiting, bruising, and numbness or burning in the hands and feet, according to the FDA.
Inorganic arsenic is a confirmed carcinogen, i.e. a substance that can cause cancer, and is, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), “a chemical contaminant of drinking water worldwide”.
The intergovernmental organization explains that inorganic arsenic compounds, which are typically found in water, are very toxic, while organic arsenic compounds, which are found in seafood, are less harmful.
Great Value apple juice sold at Walmart was mentioned in two recall reports two days apart
In the previous recall of Great Value 8-ounce six-pack apple juice, Refresco Beverages US Inc. also cited inorganic arsenic as the reason for the recall. The original report was published on August 15.
The recall was initiated by Refresco Beverages US Inc., the manufacturer of the apple juices. In the case of a recall initiated by the company, the company can remove the affected product that violates FDA regulations from the market, the agency said on its website.
“Consumer safety is always our top priority,” Antonella Sacconi, a spokeswoman for Refresco Beverages US Inc., told USA TODAY. “On August 23, 2024, out of an abundance of caution, we voluntarily initiated a recall of some select lots of 100% apple juice products made using concentrate from the supplier.”
On August 23, the recall was upgraded to Class II, which the FDA defines as a product that “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
Walmart has tried to pull Great Value apple juice from shelves. The retailer told USA TODAY it plans to do the same with this recall.
“The health and safety of our customers is always our highest priority,” said Annie Patterson, a Walmart spokeswoman. “We have removed the products from our affected stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.”
Sacconi said that “there are currently no known incidents caused by these products.”
The latest apple juice recall is listed as “not yet classified”; the FDA is still reviewing
On the FDA website, all recalls are displayed in the Enforcement Report section, where you can find weekly recalls by month and year.
Each recall is published in the enforcement report and has a classification of Class I, II, III, pending or not yet classified. This recent apple juice recall is listed as not yet classified. This allows the agency to inform the public of the potential risks before an assessment is made.
“In these cases, FDA has determined that a company’s action meets the definition of a recall,” Enrico Dinges, an FDA spokesman, said in a statement to USA TODAY. “However, FDA has not completed its evaluation of the hazards posed by the recalled products – this is considered a pending classification.”
“Once FDA completes the hazard assessment, the entry in the enforcement report will be updated with the recall classification (Class I, II or III), which indicates the hazard posed by the recalled products,” Dinges said.
Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on USA TODAY’s National Trending Team. Ahjané covers breaking news, auto recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.
