The FDA has expanded its apple juice recall over concerns about harmful levels of arsenic.
133,500 cases of apple juice sold in 27 states, as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico, were recalled. The products, sold under private label names at nine different retailers including Aldi, BJ’s and Walgreens, come from manufacturer Refreso Beverages US Inc.
The expanded recall, announced Monday, Sept. 9, follows one issued by the FDA on Aug. 26 that involved only 10,000 cases of Great Value brand juice sold at Walmart, according to ABC 10.
A statement from Refresco’s website notes that the voluntary recall is out of “an abundance of caution” because their supplier’s previously manufactured product contained inorganic arsenic above guidelines finalized by the FDA last summer.
“At this time, there are no reported incidents caused by these products,” they said.
The recalled products include the following items in select countries:
- 64 oz. plastic bottles of Nature’s Nectar 100% apple juice from Aldi
- 64 oz. Nice bottles! 100% apple juice from Walgreens
- 64 oz. bottles of Urban Meadow 100% apple juice from Key Food
- 96 oz. bottles of Wellsley Farms 100% Apple Juice from BJ’s Wholesale Club
- 64 oz. bottles of Clover Valley 100% Apple Juice from Dollar General
- 64-oz. bottles of Weis 100% apple juice from Weis
- 64 oz. bottles of Market Basket 100% apple juice from concentrate from Market Basket
- 64 oz. bottles of Solevit 100% apple juice from Lidl
- 6 packs of 8 oz. plastic bottles 100% juice great value apple juice from walmart
- 96 oz. bottles of 100% apple juice great value from Walmart
Customers are encouraged to check Refresco and the FDA website for a list of affected products with expiration dates and UPC codes. The specific countries where they are sold are listed in the “Distribution Pattern” section.
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The FDA updated its guidelines for actionable levels of inorganic arsenic in apple juice in June 2023. Levels of inorganic arsenic should not exceed 10 parts per billion in the drink, according to the standards. The parameters “reduce exposure to environmental pollutants from foods commonly consumed by infants and young children.”
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In the guidance, the FDA states that arsenic “may be present in food because it is present in the environment in which the food is grown, raised or processed.” It can “occur naturally or be present due to human activity” – and “cannot be completely removed”.
Inorganic arsenic is carcinogenic and acute arsenic poisoning can lead to vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Long-term exposure can cause skin, lung and bladder cancer, developmental effects, diabetes, lung disease and cardiovascular disease.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education