Walmart has issued a widespread recall affecting nearly 10,000 cases of its Great Value brand apple juice, a move prompted by concerns over potential contamination with inorganic arsenic.
This action, announced initially on August 15, was escalated on Friday by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reflect heightened concerns about the product’s safety.
The recall involves 9,535 cases of apple juice, distributed across 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The affected product is packaged in six-packs of 8-ounce (227-gram) bottles. The recall was initiated by Refresco Beverages US Inc, a Florida-based manufacturer, which voluntarily pulled the product from shelves after discovering arsenic levels exceeding industry safety standards.
Inorganic arsenic, a more toxic form of the chemical compared to its naturally occurring counterpart, has raised alarms among health officials due to its potential to cause adverse health effects. While the FDA’s updated recall classification indicates that the levels of inorganic arsenic detected are unlikely to result in serious or irreversible health problems, the agency emphasised that such contamination can lead to temporary symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and muscle cramping.
The National Institutes of Health notes that routine testing for arsenic in food products is crucial, as even slightly elevated levels of either inorganic or organic arsenic can pose health risks.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies inorganic arsenic as a carcinogen, meaning it has the potential to cause cancer with prolonged exposure.
Despite these concerns, the FDA has reported no cases of illness directly linked to the recalled apple juice. The agency’s current guidance suggests that while the contamination is serious, the risk of severe health effects remains low.
This action, announced initially on August 15, was escalated on Friday by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reflect heightened concerns about the product’s safety.
The recall involves 9,535 cases of apple juice, distributed across 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The affected product is packaged in six-packs of 8-ounce (227-gram) bottles. The recall was initiated by Refresco Beverages US Inc, a Florida-based manufacturer, which voluntarily pulled the product from shelves after discovering arsenic levels exceeding industry safety standards.
Inorganic arsenic, a more toxic form of the chemical compared to its naturally occurring counterpart, has raised alarms among health officials due to its potential to cause adverse health effects. While the FDA’s updated recall classification indicates that the levels of inorganic arsenic detected are unlikely to result in serious or irreversible health problems, the agency emphasised that such contamination can lead to temporary symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and muscle cramping.
The National Institutes of Health notes that routine testing for arsenic in food products is crucial, as even slightly elevated levels of either inorganic or organic arsenic can pose health risks.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies inorganic arsenic as a carcinogen, meaning it has the potential to cause cancer with prolonged exposure.
Despite these concerns, the FDA has reported no cases of illness directly linked to the recalled apple juice. The agency’s current guidance suggests that while the contamination is serious, the risk of severe health effects remains low.
Source : Times of India
