Walmart recalls apple juice nationwide due to excessive arsenic levels

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced earlier this month that more than 9,500 cartons of apple juice sold at Walmart stores across the country were being recalled due to excessive levels of “inorganic arsenic.”

The juices are produced by Refresco Beverages US Inc and sold by Walmart.

The FDA said the affected product is Great Value brand 8-ounce apple juice sold in six-packs of PET plastic bottles.

The recalled juice has a UPC number of 0-78742-29655-5 and a “best before” date of December 28, 2024.

The FDA said in its announcement that the recall was initiated on August 15 and was classified as a “Class II” recall on August 23.

The FDA said the products were sold at Walmart stores in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, the 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.

A “Class II” recall means “use of or exposure to the violative product may result in a temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequence, or there is a remote probability of a serious adverse health consequence,” the FDA website states.

The FDA said that the arsenic content in apple juice reached 13.2 ppb. In June 2023, the FDA issued industry guidance specifically for apple juice, stipulating that the upper limit of inorganic arsenic should be 10 ppb.

The FDA website states that arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral that is toxic to humans.

“The likelihood of long-term adverse health effects from consumption of arsenic-contaminated foods depends on the arsenic content of the food, the age of the consumer, the duration, amount and frequency of exposure to arsenic in food, and other concurrent exposures – to arsenic from other sources, or to other contaminants or beneficial nutrients,” they said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says exposure to high levels of arsenic is particularly dangerous for children, “causing adverse neurological effects such as learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties, and reduced IQ.”

The FDA continues: “In adults, long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause skin diseases and increase the risk of skin cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease.”

They said short-term exposure to “high levels of inorganic arsenic” could lead to a variety of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, bruising and “numbness or burning sensation” in the hands and feet.

They added that despite its toxicity, just because arsenic is present doesn’t necessarily mean people should avoid it altogether.

“Because many of the most nutritious foods can also contain contaminants, consumers should eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods from major food groups such as vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy products, and protein foods,” the FDA said.

FOX Business reached out to Walmart for further comment on this recall.