Walmart has recalled nearly 10,000 cases of Great Value apple juice nationwide after it was found to contain harmful levels of arsenic, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The recall affects thousands of 8-ounce six-packs of Great Value apple juice sold in Walmart stores in 25 states, including 53 stores in Massachusetts, according to Walmart.com.
The FDA issued an initial recall on August 15 and ordered a more urgent classification on Friday.
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According to the FDA, the recall was because the product “contained inorganic arsenic in excess of limits established by industry guidelines.”
The classification level has been updated to Class II, meaning that the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects or that the likelihood of serious health effects is low.”
Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages US Inc. voluntarily recalled the contaminated six-packs of 8-ounce bottles “after discovering levels of the chemical contaminant that exceeded industry standards,” The Associated Press reported.
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Arsenic is “a natural component of the Earth’s crust,” but in its inorganic form the chemical is “highly toxic,” according to the World Health Organization.
The organization reports that immediate symptoms of arsenic poisoning can include vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, followed by numbness and muscle cramps.
However, according to the Associated Press, the amounts found in the recalled apple juice bottles are so low that the FDA does not believe they will cause such serious health consequences.
Stores affected by the recall in Massachusetts:
- 777 Brockton Ave, Abington
- 30 Memorial Drive, Avon
- 250 Hartford Ave., Bellingham
- 700 Oak Street, Brockton
- 66 Parkhurst Road, Chelmsford
- 591 Memorial Drive, Chicopee
- 55 Brooksby Village Way, Danvers
- 42 Fairhaven Commons Way, Fairhaven
- 638 Quequechan St., Fall River
- 121 Worcester Road, Framingham
- 677 Timpany Blvd., Gardner
- 337 Russell St., Hadley
- 295 Plymouth St., Halifax
- 280 Washington St., Hudson
- 20 Soojian Dr, Leicester
- 11 Jungle Road, Leominster
- 301 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg
- 780 Lynn Way, Lynn
- 70 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen
- 1415 Curran Memorial Highway, North Adams
- 1470 S. Washington St., North Attleboro
- 506 State Road, North Dartmouth
- 742 Main St., North Oxford
- 72 Main Street, North Reading
- 180 N. King St., Northampton
- 200 Otis St., Northborough
- 555 E. Main St., Orange
- 555 Hubbard Ave., Pittsfield
- 300 Colony Place Road, Plymouth
- 301 Falls Blvd., Quincy
- 36 Paramount Drive, Raynham
- 160 Broadway, Raynham
- 450 Highland Ave., Salem
- 770 Broadway, Saugus
- 1180 Fall River Ave., Seekonk
- 1105 Boston Road, Springfield
- 100 Charlton Road, Sturbridge
- 54 Cousineau Drive, Swansea
- 137 Teaticket Highway, Teaticket (Falmouth)
- 333 Main Street, Tewksbury
- 550 Providence Highway, Walpole
- 352 Palmer Road, Ware
- 15 Tobey Road, Wareham
- 137 W. Boylston St., West Boylston
- 141 Springfield Road, Westfield
- 740 Middle St., Weymouth
- 100 Valley Parkway, Whitinsville
- 25 Tobias Boland Way, Worcester
