Walmart has recalled nearly 10,000 cases of apple juice sold nationwide after finding potentially harmful levels of inorganic arsenic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration escalated the recall to an urgent classification on Friday, subsequent to its initial announcement on August 15. The new classification suggests the product could temporarily cause adverse health effects, though it is unlikely to result in serious or irreversible medical issues.
The recall affects 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice distributed in 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages US Inc. initiated the voluntary recall of the six-packs of 8-ounce juice bottles upon discovering that levels of inorganic arsenic exceeded industry standards.
Refresco has not responded to requests for comment. “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” Walmart spokesperson Molly Blakeman stated. “We have removed this product from our impacted stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.”
According to the National Institutes of Health, both inorganic and organic arsenic naturally occur in numerous food products, with routine testing ensuring safe levels. Slightly elevated levels of arsenic can cause symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and muscle cramping. Inorganic arsenic is notably more toxic to humans than its naturally occurring counterpart and is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a carcinogen, or cancer-causing substance.
The levels of inorganic arsenic found in the recalled apple juice are not expected to lead to severe health consequences, according to the FDA. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the apple juice recall to date.
