Walmart has initiated a recall of nearly 10,000 cases of apple juice sold across the U.S. after discovering potentially harmful levels of inorganic arsenic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) elevated the urgency of the recall on Friday, building on its initial announcement made on August 15. The FDA indicated that while the affected product might cause temporary health issues, it is not expected to lead to serious or permanent medical problems.
The recall concerns 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice distributed in 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages US Inc. voluntarily recalled the juice, sold in six-packs of 8-ounce bottles, after identifying that the chemical contaminant exceeded industry safety standards.
A representative from Refresco did not respond to inquiries regarding the situation on Sunday. Walmart spokeswoman Molly Blakeman emphasized the company’s commitment to customer safety, stating that the product has been removed from affected stores and that Walmart is cooperating with the supplier for an investigation.
According to the National Institutes of Health, very low levels of both inorganic and organic arsenic can be found in various food products, and routine testing is conducted for these contaminants. Mild exposure can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and muscle cramping.
The FDA has classified inorganic arsenic as more toxic than the natural form of arsenic, with more severe health effects. The Environmental Protection Agency identifies inorganic arsenic as a carcinogen. However, the levels found in the recalled apple juice are low enough that the FDA does not anticipate serious health consequences. So far, the FDA has not reported any illnesses linked to the apple juice recall.