Apple juice sold at major retailers including Walmart, Walgreens, and Aldi is being recalled due to potential arsenic contamination, a heavy metal that can lead to various health issues.
The recall includes 133,500 cases of different brands of apple juice, manufactured by Refresco Beverages Inc. located in Tampa, Florida. The affected products were distributed across 26 states, along with Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, as noted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on August 26. The company initiated the recall on August 15.
Initially, only the Walmart Great Value brand apple juice was recalled, categorized as Class II, indicating that exposure might result in temporary health issues but is unlikely to have serious consequences. However, the expanded recall has not yet been classified.
The following brands and products are part of this recall:
– Great Value 8oz Apple Juice (6-pack) in Walmart, expiration dates of December 26, 2024, and December 27, 2024.
– Great Value 96oz Apple Juice in Walmart, with expiration dates of December 26, 2024; December 27, 2024; and December 28, 2024.
– Market Basket 100% Apple Juice, 64 oz, with code 032525.
– Nice! 100% Apple Juice, 64 oz from Walgreens, best by March 25, 2025.
– Weis 100% Apple Juice, 64 oz, sold by Weis Markets, with a sell by date of March 25, 2025.
– Urban Meadow 100% Apple Juice, 64 oz from Brooklyn Fare, best by March 26, 2025.
– Nature’s Nectar 100% Apple Juice, 64 oz from Aldi, with two best by dates of March 26 and March 27, 2025.
– Wellsley Farms 100% Apple Juice, 96 oz from BJ’s and Walmart, use by date of March 26, 2025.
– Solevita 100% Apple Juice, 64 oz from Lidl US, best by March 27, 2025.
– Clover Valley 100% Apple Juice, 64 oz from Dollar General, best by date of March 27, 2025.
Walmart spokesperson Molly Blakeman stated, “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. We have removed this product from our impacted stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.”
The apple juice products recalled were sold in the following states:
– Alabama
– Connecticut
– Delaware
– Florida
– Georgia
– Illinois
– Indiana
– Kentucky
– Massachusetts
– Maryland
– Maine
– Michigan
– Mississippi
– North Carolina
– New Hampshire
– New Jersey
– New York
– Ohio
– Pennsylvania
– Rhode Island
– South Carolina
– Tennessee
– Virginia
– Vermont
– Wisconsin
– West Virginia
– Puerto Rico
– District of Columbia
Arsenic contamination in apple juice can occur if the compound is present in the apples themselves, as plants can absorb arsenic from soil or water. Small traces of arsenic can be found in a variety of foods, including dark chocolate, rice, and seafood due to its natural presence in the environment and historical agricultural practices.
Another recall related to arsenic in apple juice was issued earlier in May by S. Martinelli & Company, which recalled over 24,000 cases of its popular Martinelli’s Gold Medal Apple Juice due to elevated inorganic arsenic levels.
Inorganic arsenic, which is the type of arsenic involved in the current recall, is a toxic heavy metal known to be more harmful than its organic counterpart and is classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization.
Symptoms of arsenic poisoning are unlikely to be severe but can include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and muscle cramping. Elevated exposure to inorganic arsenic is particularly concerning for children, as it has been linked to learning disabilities and other behavioral issues, according to the FDA.