A new recall has been issued for apple juice products due to elevated arsenic levels. This includes the Great Value Apple Juice available at Walmart, which had already been part of a previous recall along with other brands available in stores such as Aldi and Walgreens.

A voluntary recall covering 133,500 cases of juice made by Refresco Beverages US Inc. was announced on August 26.

Which apple juice products are recalled? Where are they sold?

The products recalled according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include:

• Great Value 8-ounce Apple Juice (six-pack); Walmart (Best if used by: Dec. 26, 2024; Dec. 27, 2024)
  • Available in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia.
• Great Value 96-ounce Apple Juice; Walmart (Best if used by: Dec. 26, 2024; Dec. 27, 2024; Dec. 28, 2024)
  • Available in Indiana, Ohio, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and Virginia.
• Market Basket 100% Apple Juice; 64 ounces; Market Basket (Best if used by: March 25, 2025)
  • Available in Maine.
• Nice! 100% Apple Juice; 64 ounces; Walgreens (Best if used by: March 25, 2025)
  • Available in Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
• Weis 100% Apple Juice; 64 ounces; Weis Markets (Best if used by: March 25, 2025)
  • Available in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
• Urban Meadow 100% Apple Juice; 64 ounces; Brooklyn Fare (Best if used by: March 26, 2025)
  • Available in Pennsylvania.
• Natures Nectar 100% Apple Juice; 64 ounces; Aldi (Best if used by: March 26, 2025; March 27, 2025)
  • Available in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin.
• Wellsley Farms 100% Apple Juice; 96 ounces; BJ’s and Walmart (Best if used by: March 26, 2025)
  • Available in Florida, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
• Solevita 100% Apple Juice; 64 ounces; Lidi US (Best if used by: March 27, 2025)
  • Available in Virginia.
• Clover Valley 100% Apple Juice; 64 ounces; Dollar General (Best if used by: March 27, 2025)
  • Available in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, New York, and South Carolina.

Arsenic level concerns

The FDA has reported that these apple juice products “contain inorganic arsenic levels exceeding the action limits set forth in industry guidelines.”

The agency also notes that “inorganic arsenic is considered more harmful than organic arsenic.” Long-term exposure in adults to inorganic arsenic has been linked to skin issues, increased risks of cancers (such as skin, bladder, and lung), and heart disease.

According to the FDA, short-term exposure can result in symptoms like nausea, vomiting, bruising, and tingling or burning sensations in hands and feet.

Inorganic arsenic is recognized as a carcinogenic substance, which means it can cause cancer, and it is described as a “chemical contaminant found in drinking water globally” by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO states that inorganic arsenic compounds, usually present in water, are highly toxic, unlike the organic arsenic found in seafood, which poses less of a risk.

Great Value Apple Juice recalled twice in short order

In a previous recall regarding the eight-ounce Great Value Apple Juice sold in six-packs, Refresco Beverages US Inc. also cited inorganic arsenic as the cause for the recall. That initial report was released on August 15.

This recall was initiated by Refresco Beverages US Inc., the producer of the juices. According to the FDA, this type of recall allows the company to remove products that violate regulations.

“Consumer safety is always our highest priority,” stated Antonella Sacconi, a representative for Refresco Beverages US Inc. in an interview. “On August 23, 2024, as a precautionary measure, we proactively started a recall of specific lots of our 100% apple juice produced using concentrate provided by our suppliers.”

On August 23, the recall was further classified as Class II, which The FDA defines a recall as a product “that may lead to temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects, or where the chances of severe health consequences are low.”

Walmart is taking steps to remove Great Value Apple Juice from their shelves. The retailer informed YSL News that it is also planning to conduct a similar recall for the affected product.

“The health and safety of our customers remains our highest priority,” said Annie Patterson, a spokesperson for Walmart. “We have taken the products off the shelves in the affected stores and are collaborating with the supplier to investigate the issue.”

Sacconi mentioned that “there have been no reported incidents linked to these products at this time.”

Recent apple juice recall marked as not classified; FDA is still reviewing

You can find all recalls listed in the Enforcement Report section on the FDA’s website, which showcases weekly recalls organized by month and year.

Each recall in the Enforcement Report is classified as Class I, II, III, pending, or not yet classified. The most recent apple juice recall is currently marked as not yet classified. This classification allows the agency to alert the public about possible risks while a thorough assessment is underway.

“In such cases, the FDA has identified that a firm’s action qualifies as a recall,” stated Enrico Dinges, an FDA spokesperson in a communication with YSL News. “However, the FDA has not finalized its assessment of the hazard associated with the recalled product(s) yet, which is why it’s listed as pending classification.”

“Once the FDA completes its hazard evaluation, the Enforcement Report will be updated to reflect the classification (Class I, II, or III), indicating the risk level associated with the recalled product(s),” Dinges noted.