Walmart is recalling close to 10,000 cases of apple juice that have been sold in various stores throughout the United States due to concerns about elevated levels of inorganic arsenic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has escalated the recall to a higher urgency level, stating that while the affected product may lead to temporary health issues, they are not expected to cause serious or permanent harm.
The recall specifically targets 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice distributed in 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The manufacturer, Refresco Beverages US Inc. based in Florida, initiated the recall after detecting levels of the chemical contaminant above the acceptable industry standards in the six-packs of 8-ounce juice bottles.
Refresco and Walmart representatives have not provided any immediate comments regarding the recall. Inorganic and organic arsenic are commonly found in small amounts in various food items, with elevated levels potentially causing symptoms like vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and muscle cramping.
The FDA highlights that inorganic arsenic poses more significant health risks than its naturally occurring counterpart, with exposure to this form leading to severe health effects. Despite this, the levels identified in the affected apple juice bottles are not anticipated to result in substantial health consequences, according to the FDA.
As of now, there have been no reports from the FDA regarding any illnesses linked to the consumption of the recalled apple juice.
