Earlier this month, Walmart’s “Great Value” brand apple juice was voluntarily recalled due to concerning levels of inorganic arsenic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially classified the recall with a Class II risk on Friday, suggesting that consuming the affected product could lead to “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.”
On August 15, Refresco Beverages U.S. announced the recall, affecting around 9,535 cases of apple juice packaged in 8-ounce plastic bottles sold in six-packs.
This recall impacts retail locations across various states including Alabama, Florida, New York, and Virginia. The recalled juice features the “Best if Used by DEC2824” date and has the UPC code 0-78742-29655-5.
Testing results indicated that the juice had arsenic levels of 13.2 parts per billion (ppb), surpassing the FDA’s action level of 10 ppb. While arsenic is naturally found in the environment, it can form toxic inorganic compounds that pose health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention highlights that inorganic arsenic is a known carcinogen.
Health effects of arsenic exposure can be serious, with symptoms ranging from numbness and tingling, stomach pain, to skin pigmentation changes. Prolonged ingestion can heighten the risk of several cancers, including skin, liver, bladder, and lung cancer, making it essential for the FDA to regulate its levels in food products.