Walmart is recalling nearly 10,000 cases of Great Value brand apple juice due to potentially harmful levels of arsenic, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall applies to six-packs of 8-ounce bottles sold in 25 states, including Pennsylvania. The recall was initiated on August 15, but the FDA gave it a more urgent risk classification (Class II) on Friday.
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 several states, including Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, 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 found the juices to have arsenic levels of 13.2 parts per billion. Last year, the FDA issued guidance on apple juice, stating it should have no more than 10 parts per billion. Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral that can be toxic to humans. 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.
The levels found in the recalled apple juice bottles are low enough that the FDA does not expect them to cause severe health consequences. However, consumers are advised to check the UPC code and 'best if used by date' of their purchased product against the details provided on the FDA's website.