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By Flynn Nicholls
US News Reporter
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Bottles of apple juice sold at Walmart that were recalled earlier this month were given a Class II risk rating on Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to elevated levels of inorganic arsenic.
A Class II risk classification means that consuming the product could "cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences."
Testing revealed that the juice contained arsenic levels above the FDA's recommended industry action level of 10 parts per billion (ppb), registering at 13.2 ppb.
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On August 15, Refresco Beverages U.S. voluntarily recalled its Great Value brand 100% Apple Juice, which is sold at Walmart. The recall impacts 9,535 cases of the product, packaged in 8-ounce plastic bottles and sold in six-packs.
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The apple juice recall involves retail locations in the following places: Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont and West Virginia.
The recall covers apple juice marked with the "Best if Used by DEC2824" code and the UPC number 0-78742-29655-5.
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The FDA says that a Class II risk is "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."
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A spokesperson for Refresco North America told Newsweek that the apple juice was being voluntarily recalled by the company in line with the FDA guidance.
"We are aware that certain lots of the 100% apple juice we previously manufactured contains inorganic arsenic slightly above the FDA's 10 ppb (parts per billion) action level in the FDA Final Guidance to Industry on Action Level for Inorganic Arsenic in Apple Juice, which aims at reducing the dietary exposure of contaminants to as low as possible," director of communications Antonella Sacconi wrote in a statement. "As a result, impacted products are being voluntarily recalled.
"At this time there are no reported complaints or incidents of illness caused by the product. Per the FDA, it is not possible to completely prevent arsenic from entering the food supply, yet exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic can have adverse health effects.
"The safety of consumers and the satisfaction of our customers are our top priorities. We are working diligently to address the situation."
Although arsenic is a widely distributed, naturally occurring element, it can form inorganic compounds that are toxic to humans.
Because arsenic exposure at certain levels can be harmful to health, the FDA monitors and regulates levels of it in foods.
Inorganic arsenic is a known carcinogen that, when consumed over time, can pose significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable people like children and pregnant women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, pins and needles in the feet and hands with associated weakness, stomach pain or diarrhea, and having patchy areas of increased skin pigment or a thickened outer skin layer.
Ingestion of inorganic arsenic can increase the risk of skin cancer and cancer in the liver, bladder and lungs. Inhalation of inorganic arsenic can cause increased risk of lung cancer.
Update 08/27/24 at 2:41 a.m. ET; This article was updated to add comments from the company.
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