Walmart Recalls Apple Juice in 25 States Over Elevated Arsenic Levels
Walmart has issued a recall for nearly 10,000 cases of its Great Value brand apple juice due to the discovery of elevated levels of inorganic arsenic, a potentially harmful chemical. The recall affects products sold in 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.
The recall, which was originally announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 15, was classified as more urgent on Friday, August 25. The FDA’s updated classification indicates that while the product may cause temporary adverse health effects, it is unlikely to result in serious or long-term medical issues.
The affected apple juice, packaged in six-packs of 8-ounce bottles, was manufactured by Refresco Beverages US, a Florida-based company. The company voluntarily initiated the recall after tests revealed arsenic levels in the juice that exceeded industry standards.
A spokesperson for Refresco did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter. However, Walmart emphasized that customer safety remains a top priority. “We have removed this product from our impacted stores and are working with the supplier to investigate,” Walmart spokesperson Molly Blakeman said in a statement.
According to the National Institutes of Health, both inorganic and organic forms of arsenic can be found in various food products at very low levels. Routine testing is conducted to monitor these levels, as even slightly elevated amounts can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and muscle cramping.
Inorganic arsenic is particularly toxic and is classified as a carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), meaning it can cause cancer. Despite this, the FDA has stated that the levels of arsenic found in the recalled apple juice are low enough that they are not expected to cause severe health effects.
As of now, the FDA has not reported any illnesses related to the recalled apple juice.
