Walmart has recalled nearly 10,000 cartons of Great Value apple juice sold in stores across 25 states, including Florida, due to the presence of potentially dangerous levels of inorganic arsenic.
The manufacturer, Refresco Beverages US, based in Florida, voluntarily recalled the six-pack of 8-ounce bottles after detecting levels of the chemical contaminant that exceeded industry standards.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) elevated the recall classification to a more urgent category last Friday, following its initial announcement on August 15th.
According to the new classification, the affected product could cause temporary adverse effects on health, although it is unlikely to lead to serious or irreversible medical problems.
The recall affects 9,535 boxes of apple juice from the Great Value brand, distributed in 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.
A spokesperson for Refresco did not immediately respond to requests for comments made this Sunday by the AP agency.
"The health and safety of our customers is always our top priority," stated Molly Blakeman, spokesperson for Walmart, in a statement.
"We have withdrawn this product from our impacted stores and are working with the supplier to investigate the matter," he added.
According to the National Institutes of Health, it is common to find very low levels of organic and inorganic arsenic in various food products.
The tests are routine, as slightly elevated levels of any of the forms can cause symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, numbness, and muscle cramps.
According to the FDA, inorganic arsenic is more toxic to humans than the organic form of the mineral, and its health effects are more severe.
The Environmental Protection Agency has classified inorganic arsenic as a carcinogen, meaning a substance that can cause cancer.
Although the levels detected in the recalled apple juice bottles are low, the FDA does not expect them to cause serious health consequences.
So far, no diseases associated with the consumption of this juice have been reported.
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