Walmart has recalled more than 9,500 cases of apple juice over fears it could contain arsenic.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the retailer’s ‘Great Value’ brand six pack 8oz apple juice PET plastic bottles have elevated levels of ‘inorganic arsenic’ in them.
The recalled juices have a ‘best if used by’ date of December 28, 2024 and a UPC of 0-78742-29655-5.
The recall was initiated on August 15 and was later classified as a ‘Class II’ recall on Friday, the FDA said.
A ‘Class II’ recall is ‘a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,’ according to the agency.
The Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) announced that the ‘Great Value’ brand 8oz apple juice in six pack PET plastic bottles has elevated levels of ‘inorganic arsenic’ in them
In the US, stores in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia, sold the recalled apple juice.
The FDA said the juices had arsenic levels of 13.2 parts per billion. Last year, the agency announced that the limit for inorganic arsenic should be 10 parts per billion in apple juice.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element often found in the Earth’s crust, but it is toxic for humans.
Long-term exposure to the chemical element can cause skin lesions, different cancers, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to the World Health Organization.
For children that ingest arsenic, it can cause negative impacts on cognitive development and possible death in young adults, the organization added.
The FDA said the juices had arsenic levels of 13.2 parts per billion. Last year, the agency announced that the limit for inorganic arsenic should be 10 parts per billion in apple juice
Short-term exposure to arsenic can cause adults to experience nausea, vomiting, ‘numbness or burning sensations’ in the hands and feet, and bruising, the FDA said.
It is unclear if possible injuries have been reported in relation to the apple juice and Walmart has not released recommendations for those affected by it.
DailyMail.com contacted Walmart for comment.
Earlier this month, a popular candy sold at Walmart and Dollar Tree was recalled across the country due to concerns about contamination with a deadly bacteria.
Iowa-based Palmer Candy Company voluntarily recalled its ‘White Coated Confectionery Items’ in early May after finding they could be contaminated with salmonella, a foodborne illness that infects 1.3 million Americans a year.
Officials then escalated the severity of the May recall, upgrading it to a ‘Class I’ designation on August 6 – the most serious category of product recalls.
Earlier this month, Iowa-based Palmer Candy Company voluntarily recalled its ‘White Coated Confectionary Items’ after finding they could be ontaminated with salmonella
The FDA said that affected products – mixtures of snacks like pretzels, cookies, popcorn and chocolates – were distributed nationwide in Walmart, HyVee, Target, and Dollar General stores.
They were also sent to distributors in the following states: Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The FDA said there have not been any injuries or illnesses linked to the products yet.
The potentially harmful sweets are covered in a sugary coating that appears white, and come in a variety of packaging, such as bags, pouches, and tubs.
The affected sweets were sold under brand names including Palmer Candy, Great Value, Casey’s, and Every True Tiger – a brand out of the University of Missouri.
Palmer Candy was notified of the potential danger by its liquid coating supplier, who said the products could potentially be contaminated with salmonella.
