Walmart has issued a recall of nearly 10,000 cases of apple juice from U.S. stores due to potentially harmful levels of inorganic arsenic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) increased the urgency of the recall on Friday, after announcing it on August 15, saying the affected product may cause temporary health problems but is unlikely to cause serious or irreversible medical problems.
The recall affects 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice, specifically six-packs of 8-ounce bottles, sold in 25 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages US Inc. voluntarily recalled the juice after finding arsenic levels that exceeded industry standards.
Inorganic arsenic is more toxic than its organic counterpart and is classified as a carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Although the levels found in the recalled juice bottles are low, the FDA does not believe they cause serious health consequences. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) points out that very small amounts of both inorganic and organic arsenic are present in most foods. Slightly elevated levels can cause symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness and muscle cramps.
The FDA has not received any reports of illnesses related to the recalled apple juice. Both Walmart and Refresco Beverages US Inc. did not respond to requests for comment.
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