Walmart has recalled more than 9,500 cases of apple juice over concerns it may contain arsenic.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that 8-oz PET plastic bottles and six-packs of the retailer’s ‘Great Value’ brand apple juice have elevated levels of ‘inorganic arsenic.’
The recalled juices have a best-before date of Dec. 28, 2024, and a UPC of 0-78742-29655-5.
The recall was initiated on Aug. 15 and then classified as a “Class II” recall on Friday, the FDA said.
A ‘Class II’ recall is ‘a situation where use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote,’ according to agency.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that 8oz ‘Great Value’ brand apple juice in six-pack PET plastic bottles has elevated levels of ‘inorganic arsenic’ in them.
In the U.S., 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 to humans.
Prolonged exposure to the chemical element can cause skin lesions, different types of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, according to World Health Organization.
For children who 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 nausea, vomiting, “numbness or burning sensations” in the hands and feet and bruising in adults, the FDA said.
It is unclear whether any possible injuries have been reported in connection with the apple juice, and Walmart has not issued any recommendations for those affected.
DailyMail.com has contacted Walmart for comment.
Earlier this month, a popular candy sold at Walmart and Dollar Tree was recalled nationwide 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 discovering they may be contaminated with salmonella, a foodborne illness that infects 1.3 million Americans a year.
Officials later increased the severity of the May recall, upgrading it to a “Class I” designation on Aug. 6, the most serious category of product recall.
Earlier this month, Iowa-based Palmer Candy Company voluntarily recalled its “white-coated confectionery items” after discovering they may be contaminated with salmonella.
The FDA said the affected products — snack mixes such as pretzels, cookies, popcorn and chocolates — were distributed nationwide at Walmart, HyVee, Target and Dollar General stores.
They were also shipped 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 been no injuries or illnesses linked to the products so far.
These potentially harmful sweets are covered in a white-looking sugary coating and come in a variety of packaging, including bags, pouches and jars.
The affected candies were sold under brand names including Palmer Candy, Great Value, Casey’s and Every True Tiger, a University of Missouri brand.
Palmer Candy was informed of the potential hazard by its liquid coating supplier, who said the products could be contaminated with salmonella.