A nationwide recall of apple juice sold at retailers including Walmart, Walgreens, and Aldi has been issued due to potential arsenic contamination, posing health risks. The recall involves 133,500 cases of various brands produced by Refresco Beverages Inc. in Tampa, Florida, which were distributed across 26 states.
This recall was announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 26, following Refresco’s initial recall notice on Aug. 15. Initially, the FDA had only recalled the Great Value apple juice brand from Walmart, classifying it as Class II, indicating that while exposure may cause temporary health issues, serious health consequences are unlikely. However, the expanded recall of additional brands does not presently carry a specific classification.
The affected apple juice products can be found at Walmart, Walgreens, Aldi, Weis, Market Basket, BJ’s, Dollar General, Lidl US, and Brooklyn Fare. The products were distributed not only in the 26 states but also in Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
The list of products included in the recall features several varieties of apple juice with specific best-by dates and codes, including but not limited to:
– Great Value 8oz Apple Juice (Walmart)
– Great Value 96oz Apple Juice (Walmart)
– Market Basket 100% Apple Juice 64 oz
– Nice! 100% Apple Juice 64 oz (Walgreens)
– Weis 100% Apple Juice 64 oz
– Urban Meadow 100% Apple Juice 64 oz (Brooklyn Fare)
– Nature’s Nectar 100% Apple Juice 64 oz (Aldi)
– Wellsley Farms 100% Apple Juice 96 oz (BJ’s and Walmart)
– Solevita 100% Apple Juice 64 oz (Lidl US)
– Clover Valley 100% Apple Juice 64 oz (Dollar General)
Walmart emphasized its commitment to customer safety, indicating that the affected products have been removed from stores and the company is collaborating with suppliers for further investigation.
The recalled apple juice products have been sold in states including Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and more. Arsenic can naturally occur in apple juice due to its presence in water, soil, and the fruit itself, as apple trees may absorb it from contaminated environments.
Concerns related to arsenic in apple juice were recently magnified when S. Martinelli & Company recalled over 24,000 cases of its Martinelli’s Gold Medal Apple Juice due to elevated levels of inorganic arsenic, a toxic form known to be harmful and a recognized carcinogen, according to the World Health Organization.
While the presence of arsenic in apple juice is typically unlikely to result in severe symptoms, temporary reactions may occur, particularly in children, who are more vulnerable to the adverse effects associated with arsenic exposure. Short-term symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.