Health authorities have expanded a recall of apple juice sold at several popular stores over fears it may be contaminated with cancer-causing metals.
On Aug. 26, the FDA announced that 133,500 cases of apple juice produced by Florida-based Refresco Beverages Inc. were being voluntarily recalled because they possibly contained inorganic arsenic, a “highly toxic” compound commonly found in contaminated water.
The affected products were sold in 26 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico at retailers Walmart, Walgreens, Aldi, Weis, Market Basket, BJ’s, Dollar General, Lidl US and Brooklyn Fare.
This is an expansion of a recall initiated on August 15, which included only 9,500 cases of Walmart Great Value apple juice.
No illnesses have been reported.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that several brands of apple juice, including Walmart’s Great Value, have been recalled due to arsenic.
The FDA said the affected 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.
The initial recall was designated Class II, meaning exposure to the product could cause temporary or medically reversible health problems.
The recently recalled products have not yet received any classification.
However, inorganic arsenic, a naturally occurring element found in the Earth’s crust and in places like water and soil, has been linked to serious health consequences.
The compound is a known carcinogen, meaning it has been shown to cause cancer, and is described by the World Health Organization as “highly toxic.”
Long-term exposure has been shown to cause skin lesions, developmental defects, diabetes, and lung and heart disease.
Short-term signs of exposure generally include nausea, vomiting, and numbness or burning in the hands or feet.
The recall comes after the FDA announced plans to investigate several brands of tampons that may contain arsenic and other heavy metals such as lead and cadmium.