Walmart Apple Juice Recall: Nearly 10,000 Cases Taken Off Shelves Due to High Arsenic Levels
Products are being pulled off shelves left and right this summer. From fire safety concerns in Trader Joe’s candles to harmful metals and foreign objects in Perdue chicken, safe shopping may be more difficult. A popular beverage was added to the list in late August: Walmart's apple juice, due to high levels of arsenic. Keep reading to learn more about health concerns and how you can protect yourself.
Why an apple juice recall happened at Walmart
In late August, Walmart joined the list of retailers or brands that have had to pull things off the shelves. The chain recalled nearly 10,000 cases of apple juice across stores in 25 states due to potentially high levels of inorganic arsenic.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave the recall a more urgent classification on Friday, August 23 after the original announcement on August 15.
Two classifications are used for food recalls: The first is “A reasonable probability that use of, or exposure to, the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death; or the second, is “That use of, or exposure to, the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or an outcome where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” per the FDA.
The juice recall required the second classification as the arsenic levels could pose potential health risks. 9,535 cases of Great Value brand apple juice were deemed unsafe. The Florida-based manufacturer Refresco Beverages U.S., the maker of the six packs of eight-ounce bottles came forward and said the juice had higher contaminants than acceptable for industry standards.
Why the apple juice recall was expanded
By September 9, the recall was expanded from 10,000 cases of multiple apple juice brands to 133,500 cases, spanning locations in 25 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In addition to Walmart, brands impacted include Aldi, BJs, Market Basket, Walgreens and Weis Markets, the FDA announced.
Arsenic is found in some foods
The FDA monitors both organic and inorganic amounts of arsenic in foods. According to USapple. Org, apple juice is known to have arsenic because it’s found in the soil used to grow apples. However, it’s small amounts of organic arsenic that are safe for consumption.
Inorganic arsenic can be harmful while organic arsenic is fine for consumers. Both come from the soil and water absorption and can find their way into various food items. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also labeled inorganic arsenic as a carcinogen or substance that can cause or increase the risk of cancer.
When it comes to the acceptable amount of arsenic in apple juice, the FDA notes that “the ‘action level’ is 10 parts per billion (ppb) for inorganic arsenic in apple juice.” Reports from the FDA share that the juice was recalled because the arsenic levels reached 13 ppb which is above the recommended and safe number.
What else to know about the apple juice recall
Walmart locations in Alabama, Connecticut, the 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, West Virginia were all affected by the latest recall and had to pull stock.
“The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” Molly Blakeman, a spokesperson for Walmart said in a statement. “We have removed this product from our impacted stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.”
Aldi, meanwhile, is pulling its Nature's Nectar 100% Apple Juice with March 26, 2025, and March 27, 2025, expiration dates. The juice was sold in stores located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
"Aldi puts the safety and integrity of the products it sells first. If customers have products affected by this recall, they are advised to discard it immediately or return it to their local store for a full refund," the grocery chain posted in a statement.
No reported illnesses came from the apple juice as the levels of arsenic weren’t severe enough to cause major health problems.
For more recall news:
Walmart and Aldi Produce Recall: Find Out What Vegetables Were Included Due to Listeria Risk
Why Are There So Many Food Recalls Lately? What to Know About Food Safety Amid Startling Uptick
Not So Sweet: The FDA Recalls Dozens of Candy Products Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination
