More than 9,500 cases of 100% apple juice that was sold at Walmart have been recalled due to high levels of arsenic.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration upgraded the level of the apple juice recall, originally issued on August 15, from unclassified to class 2, which indicates “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences,” but is unlikely to cause “serious adverse health consequences.”
“Product contains inorganic arsenic above action level set in industry guidance (13.2ppb),” meaning parts per billion, the FDA said of the juice.
Apple juice is seen in and undated stock photo.| A Walmart store is seen in Secaucus, N.J., on Nov. 24, 2023.
STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images, FILE
The agency’s enforcement report stated that 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice sold at Walmart in 25 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia has been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer Refresco Beverages US Inc.
A representative for Refresco did not immediately respond to an ABC News request for comment.
Product details of recalled apple juice
The contaminated Great Value beverages in question were sold in six-packs of 8-ounce plastic bottles with the UPC code 0-78742-29655-5.
The recalled apple juice has a “Best if used by” date code of DEC2824 CT89-6.
Consumers who have purchased apple juice from Walmart in 25 states may want to take note of a recent recall notice issued by the retailer. The recall is due to elevated levels of arsenic found in the apple juice, which can pose a health risk if consumed in large quantities.
The affected apple juice was sold in Walmart stores in 25 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The recall includes both Great Value and Tampico brand apple juice products.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can be found in soil, water, and air. In small amounts, arsenic is not harmful to humans. However, elevated levels of arsenic can be toxic and may cause health problems such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and even cancer with long-term exposure.
Consumers who have purchased the affected apple juice are advised to stop consuming it immediately and return it to Walmart for a full refund. It is important to note that not all apple juice products sold at Walmart are affected by the recall, so consumers should check the product packaging for specific information on whether their purchase is included in the recall.
Walmart has stated that they are working closely with their suppliers to investigate the source of the elevated arsenic levels and ensure that all affected products are removed from store shelves. In the meantime, consumers are urged to exercise caution when purchasing apple juice and other food products to ensure their safety and well-being.
For more information on the recall and how to return affected products, consumers can contact Walmart’s customer service hotline at 1-800-WALMART or visit their website for updates on the situation. It is always important to stay informed about potential recalls and take appropriate action to protect your health and the health of your family.
