Walmart has issued a recall for nearly 10,000 cases of Great Value brand apple juice sold across the U.S. after tests revealed potentially harmful levels of inorganic arsenic.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) escalated the urgency of the recall on Friday, following the initial announcement on August 15. According to the FDA, while the contaminated juice may cause temporary adverse health effects, it is unlikely to lead to serious or long-term medical issues.
The recall affects 9,535 cases of the apple juice, distributed in 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The product, sold in six-packs of 8-ounce bottles, was manufactured by Florida-based Refresco Beverages US Inc., which voluntarily initiated the recall after discovering that the arsenic levels exceeded industry standards.
“The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” said Walmart spokesperson Molly Blakeman. “We have removed this product from our stores and are actively working with the supplier to investigate.”
While small amounts of both inorganic and organic arsenic can be found in many foods, elevated levels can cause symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and muscle cramping. Inorganic arsenic, which is more toxic, has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a carcinogen.
The FDA assured that the levels of inorganic arsenic found in the recalled apple juice are not expected to result in severe health outcomes. No illnesses related to the recall have been reported so far.
