Walmart and a Dutch manufacturer are voluntarily recalling apple juice sold under Walmart's "Great Value" brand because of elevated levels of arsenic.
According to a notice updated Friday on the Food and Drug Administration's website, the recalled products were sold in states on the East Coast and in the southern United States, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They came in 8-ounce sizes and sold in 6-pack plastic bottles.
The notice indicates the arsenic levels, at about 13 parts per billion (ppb), are slightly above the 10 ppb deemed safe to consume by the FDA. The agency designated the recall as Class II, meaning it may cause temporary or "medically reversible" adverse health consequences, but where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
“The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” Walmart spokesperson Molly Blakeman said in a statement. “We have removed this product from our impacted stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.”
Refresco said it was aware that certain shipments of its apple juice contained inorganic arsenic levels "slightly above" the FDA's guidance, and that as a result they were being voluntarily recalled. It said it had not received any reports of complaints or illnesses.
"The safety of consumers and the satisfaction of our customers are our top priorities," the company said. "We are working diligently to address the situation."
Inorganic arsenic can usually be traced to contaminated drinking water, according to the FDA. Unlike naturally occurring arsenic, which is widespread at low levels, regular exposure to or consumption of inorganic arsenic can cause cancer and birth defects.
