Apple juice sold at Walmart in 25 states recalled due to arsenic levels

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Walmart is recalling nearly 10,000 cases of apple juice due to potentially harmful levels of arsenic, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The recall applies to Great Value brand apple juice sold in six-packs of 8 ounce bottles. The recall was initiated on Aug. 15, but the FDA gave it a more urgent risk classification (Class II) on Friday.

According to the FDA, Class II recalls are issued when a product may cause adverse health effects that are temporary and unlikely to result in serious medical problems.

The recalled juices have a UPC code of 0-78742-29655-5 and a "best if used by" date of December 28, 2024.

They were sold at Walmart locations 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.

The FDA said the juices were found to have arsenic levels of 13.2 parts per billion. Last year, the FDA issued guidance on apple juice, saying it should have no more than 10 parts per billion.

What is arsenic?

Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral that can be toxic to humans, according to the FDA. The agency explained that the risk of long-term negative health effects from eating food contaminated with arsenic depends on several factors, including the arsenic level in the food, the consumer's age and the frequency of exposure.

Very low levels of inorganic and organic arsenic are found in most food products, according to the National Institutes of Health. Testing is routine, as slightly elevated levels of either form can cause symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness and muscle cramping.

Inorganic arsenic is more toxic to humans than the naturally occurring form of the mineral arsenic, and the health effects from exposure are more severe, according to the FDA. The Environmental Protection Agency has labeled inorganic arsenic a carcinogen, or a substance that causes cancer.

Levels found in the recalled apple juice bottles are low enough that the FDA does not expect them to cause such severe health consequences.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.