Apple Juice Product Recalled in 25 States Due to Arsenic Levels

The Refresco logo on the roof of a factory on Oct. 3, 2017. BAS CZERWINSKI/AFP via Getty Images

A recall has been issued for apple juice in 25 states over concerns that it may contain elevated levels of inorganic arsenic, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Refresco Beverages US Inc. voluntarily recalled 9,535 cases of six-pack 8-ounce Great Value brand apple juice on Aug. 15 after discovering that they contain “inorganic arsenic above the action level set in industry guidance,” the agency said.

The recalled items sold at Walmart stores have a “Best If Used By” date of Dec. 28, 2024, and carry the universal product code 0-78742-29655-5.

The recall was classified as “Class II” on Aug. 23, indicating that the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” according to the FDA.

The agency did not specify whether there have been any reports of illnesses related to the recalled product.

Refresco Beverages had not replied to a request from The Epoch Times for comment at the time of publishing.

Walmart spokesperson Molly Blakeman said in a statement, “The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority. We have removed this product from our impacted stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.”

The recall was issued in 25 states, including in Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, District of Columbia, South Carolina, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Tennessee, among others.

Arsenic is one of 10 chemicals that the World Health Organization (WHO) has listed as being of major public concern. According to the WHO, arsenic is a natural component of the earth’s crust, but its inorganic form can be “highly toxic” to humans and is a confirmed carcinogen—a type of substance that can cause cancer.

The FDA announced last year that the action level for inorganic arsenic in apple juice should be 10 parts per billion. The agency said that while arsenic cannot be completely removed from the food supply, its levels can be reduced through changes in manufacturing.

“Therefore, the FDA sets action levels when a level of a contaminant is unavoidable, to inform industry on the level of contamination above which the FDA may regard certain foods as adulterated,” it stated.

Exposure to arsenic in early childhood can lead to adverse neurological effects and harm cognitive development. The FDA stated that fetuses, infants, and children are especially vulnerable to the potential harmful effects from arsenic exposure due to their smaller body sizes and rapid metabolism and growth.

In the rest of the population, long-term exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic can lead to severe health issues including diabetes, pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease. It also increases the risk of skin, bladder, and lung cancers, according to the agency.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.