KANSAS CITY – Walmart has recalled nearly 10,000 cases of apple juice sold in stores across the US that were found to contain potentially harmful levels of inorganic arsenic.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave the recall a more urgent classification Friday after making its original announcement Aug. 15. The new classification said the affected product may temporarily cause adverse health consequences but is unlikely to cause serious or irreversible medical issues.
A “Class II” recall means “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” said the FDA’s website.
The recall affects 9,535 six-packs of 8-ounce apple juice bottles sold under the Great Value brand in 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, the FDA notice shared.
The manufacturer of the product, Refresco Beverages U.S. Inc., voluntarily issued a recall for the contaminated product after it discovered levels of chemical contamination that were higher than industry standards.
Walmart spokesperson Molly Blakeman addressed the recall in a statement. She said the recall was out of precaution and to ensure the safety of Walmart's customers.
“The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” Blakeman said. “We have removed this product from our impacted stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.”
The FDA reports that inorganic arsenic is more toxic to humans than arsenic, which occurs naturally in its mineral form. Very low levels of inorganic and organic arsenic are found in several food products, though testing for higher levels of both is a routine procedure, according to the National Institute of Health.
Consuming a product with elevated levels of inorganic arsenic can result in abdominal pain, numbness, muscle cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting. Inorganic arsenic has been labeled a carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Reports of potential illnesses associated with the apple juice have not been shared at this time.