Walmart is recalling nearly 10,000 cases of apple juice sold in 25 states under its Great Value brand due to elevated levels of arsenic, a toxic metal that can cause adverse health effects. The recall affects the 8-ounce bottles of Great Value apple juice sold in six packs, according to a posted on Aug. 23.
Walmart recalled the Great Value apple juice for containing inorganic arsenic levels of 13.2 parts per billion (ppb), which is above the 10 ppb considered safe by the FDA. The juice was sold in states in 25 states primarily in the South and Northeast, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, according to the notice.
Affected products have the UPC code of 0-78742-29655-5 and a "best if used by" date of DEC2824 CT89-6. The FDA designated the recall as , which means exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” Walmart spokesperson Molly Blakeman told in a statement.
“We have removed this product from our impacted stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.” Refresco Beverages Inc., a Dutch-based company whose U.
S. headquarters are in Tampa, Florida, initiated the recall on Aug. 15.
The product was distributed to: Why is there arsenic in apple juice? Arsenic may be found in apple juice if it's present in the fruit itself. Small traces of arsenic may be in water and soil, and plants, such as apple trees, absorb it, . Many types of food contain small amounts of arsenic, such as , and seafood.
Arsenic exists naturally in soil, but it also was found in chemicals sprayed on orchards for many years. While these chemicals are no longer used, some arsenic from this process may still remain. Also, some human behaviors deposit arsenic in soil.
Another recall was recently issued over arsenic in apple juice: In May, S. Martinelli & Company, the maker of the popular , recalled 24,519 cases for “elevated levels of inorganic arsenic.” Inorganic arsenic, the type of arsenic involved in Walmart apple juice recall, is a toxic heavy metal.
It is more toxic than organic arsenic and is a known carcinogen (meaning it can cause cancer), . Most foods that contain arsenic have the organic kind. But inorganic arsenic can make its way into the environment through building products, drinking water contaminated with arsenic and more.
The Walmart apple juice contaminated with arsenic is unlikely to cause serious symptoms, as the FDA assigned it the class II recall designation; however it may cause temporary or medically reversible symptoms. According to WHO, short-term signs of arsenic poisoning include: Exposure to elevated levels of inorganic arsenic can be particularly dangerous for kids. It has been associated with learning disabilities, lowered IQ and behavior difficulties, according to the .
Scott Stump is a trending reporter and the writer of the daily newsletter This is TODAY (which you should ) that brings the day's news, health tips, parenting stories, recipes and a daily delight right to your inbox. He has been a regular contributor for TODAY.com since 2011, producing features and news for pop culture, parents, politics, health, style, food and pretty much everything else.
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