thousands of extra apple juice case Products sold at major stores including Walmart, Walgreens, and Aldi are being recalled due to high levels of arsenic.
According to the latest data from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approximately 141,298 cases have been recalled because they “contain inorganic arsenic in amounts above the industry action level.”
That figure is higher than the 9,535 cases originally recalled in August, according to a previous FDA report.
Refresco Beverages US Inc. has issued both recalls, which are classified as Class II.
Recalls are conducted based on the severity of adverse effects that could occur as a result of allowing the product to enter the market.
According to the FDA, Category II is issued when the product is “less likely to cause serious injury or death, but the potential for adverse events that could have irreversible consequences remains.”
Cartons of apple juice were shipped to stores across the country.
The affected brands were sold at several major stores including Walmart, Weis, Aldi, Walgreens, Market Basket, BJ’s, Dollar General, Lidl US, and Brooklyn Fare.
According to the FDA, arsenic may be present in foods from the environment where it is grown, prepared or processed, and it is impossible to prevent arsenic from entering the food supply.
However, since exposure to certain levels can be harmful to one's health, the FDA monitors and regulates arsenic levels in foods.
Exposure to high levels during a time of active brain development produces adverse neurological effects such as learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties, and lower IQ.
“Fetuses, infants, and children are particularly vulnerable to the potentially harmful effects of arsenic because of their small body size and rapid metabolism and growth,” the FDA said.
The recalled brands and where they were shipped to:
- Great Value (8 ounces): Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maine, New York, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, South Carolina.
- Great Value (96 oz): Puerto Rico, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Maine, New York, Virginia.
- Market Basket 100% Apple Juice: Maine.
- Great! 100% apple juice: Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida.
- Weiss 100% Apple Juice: Pennsylvania, Maryland.
- Urban Meadow 100% Apple Juice: Pennsylvania.
- Nature's Nectar 100% Apple Juice: New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina.
- Wellsley Farms 100% Apple Juice: Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts.
- Solevita 100% Apple Juice: Virginia.
- Clover Valley 100% Apple Juice: South Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, Florida, Indiana, New York.
- Tropical Bliss: New York.
