Top line
Walmart has voluntarily recalled nearly 10,000 cases of its Great Value brand apple juice due to concerns about high levels of arsenic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has upgraded the recall because the products may cause temporary side effects, but the agency has not received any reports of illness.
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Key data
Walmart recalled 9,535 cases of its 8-ounce Great Value brand apple juice on Aug. 15 after the bottles were found to contain high levels of inorganic arsenic, above industry standards, according to an FDA notice.
The FDA upgraded the recall to a Class II recall on Friday, meaning that consumption of the products could potentially cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
The FDA has not provided any information on whether there have been any reports of adverse events among customers in connection with the affected juices.
Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages US Inc. has issued a voluntary recall that applies to Walmart stores in 25 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.
The best-before date for the affected products is December 28, 2024.
Forbes has contacted Refresco Beverages for comment.
Key quote
“The health and safety of our customers is always our highest priority,” Walmart said in a statement obtained by Forbes. “We have removed this product from our affected stores and are working with the supplier to investigate the incident.”
Which states are affected by the apple juice recall?
The following states are affected by the apple juice recall: Alabama, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia.
Does apple juice contain arsenic?
Yes, arsenic is found in some apple juice and other fruit juices. According to the FDA, arsenic is a chemical that is found in the environment from both natural and man-made sources such as volcanic eruptions, arsenic-containing rocks, arsenic-containing pesticides, or mining contamination. There are two types of arsenic: organic and inorganic. Inorganic arsenic is considered more dangerous, and apple juice is a source of inorganic arsenic exposure. The FDA monitors arsenic levels in apple juice and has set a limit of 10 parts per billion for inorganic arsenic starting in 2023.
What health risks are associated with arsenic consumption?
The most common source of arsenic exposure is contaminated drinking water, but other foods, such as rice and fish, also contain small amounts of arsenic because the chemical can be found in soil and water, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. According to NIEHS, arsenic can affect a variety of organs and systems, including the immune system, cardiovascular system, skin, endocrine system, nervous system, prostate, respiratory system, kidneys, bladder and liver. Short-term exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause nausea, vomiting, bruising and numbness or a burning sensation in the hands and feet, according to the FDA. Both forms of arsenic are known carcinogens, and long-term exposure is linked to lung, skin, liver, kidney and bladder cancer. According to a study from the University of California, Berkeley, childhood arsenic exposure may increase the risk of developing bladder and lung cancer later in life. Some studies have found an association between exposure to low to moderate levels of arsenic and metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
More information
FDA issues final guidance to industry on how to respond to inorganic arsenic in apple juice (Food and Drug Administration)
