Apple juice sold at Walmart, Aldi, Walgreens, BJ's, more recalled over arsenic levels

More apple juice is being voluntarily recalled over arsenic levels. This new recall includes the Great Value Apple Juice brand sold at Walmart stores, which was part of a previous voluntary recall, and brands sold at several other stores like Aldi and Walgreens.

A voluntary recall was initiated for 133,500 cases of products made by Refresco Beverages US Inc. on Aug. 26.

What products are listed in the apple juice recall?  Where are they sold?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the products listed in the recall include:

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

Recalled products:Great Value Apple Juice recalled over arsenic: FDA, Walmart, manufacturer issue statements

Concerns over arsenic levels

The federal agency said that the apple juice “products contain inorganic arsenic above action level set in guidance to industry.” 

The FDA adds that “current research indicates that inorganic arsenic is more dangerous than organic arsenic.” The federal agency also says that long-term exposure in adults to inorganic arsenic has been affiliated with skin disorders, increased risks of skin, bladder, and lung cancers, and cardiovascular disease.  

Short-term exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause nausea, vomiting, bruising, and numbness or burning sensations in the hands and feet, the FDA says.   

Inorganic arsenic is a confirmed carcinogen, something that can cause cancer, and is a “chemical contaminant in drinking-water globally,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO).   

The intergovernmental organization says that inorganic arsenic compounds, which are typically found in water, are very toxic. However, organic arsenic compounds, which are found in seafood, are less harmful.   

Great Value Apple Juice sold at Walmart featured in 2 recall reports days apart

In the previous recall of the eight-ounce Great Value Apple Juice sold in a six-pack, Refresco Beverages US Inc. also listed inorganic arsenic as the reason for the recall. The original report was posted on Aug. 15.

The recall was firm-initiated by Refresco Beverages US Inc., the manufacturer of the apple juices. In a firm-initiated recall, the company can remove the affected product that is in violation of the FDA regulations, the agency said on its website.  

“The safety of consumers is always our top priority,” Antonella Sacconi, a spokesperson for Refresco Beverages US Inc. told USA TODAY. “On August 23, 2024, out of an abundance of caution, we voluntarily initiated a recall of some select lots of 100% apple juice products produced using supplier provided concentrate.” 

On Aug. 23, the recall was upgraded to Class II, which is defined by the FDA as a product that "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”     

Walmart worked to pull the Great Value Apple Juice from store shelves. The retailer told USA TODAY that it is planning to do the same for this recall as well.  

“The health and safety of our customers is always a top priority,” Annie Patterson, a Walmart spokesperson said. “We have removed the products from our impacted stores and are working with the supplier to investigate.”  

Sacconi said that "at this time there are no reported incidents caused by these products."

Latest apple juice recall is listed as not yet classified; FDA still assessing

On the FDA's website, all recalls are displayed in the Enforcement Report section where you can locate weekly recalls by month and year.

Every recall is posted on the Enforcement Report has a classification of Class I, II, III, pending or not yet classified. This latest apple juice recall is listed as not yet classified. This is a way for the agency to inform the public of the potential risks before an assessment is conducted.

"In these instances, the FDA has determined that a firm’s action meets the definition of a recall," Enrico Dinges, a FDA spokesperson said in a statement to USA TODAY. "However the FDA has not completed its assessment of the hazard posed by the recalled product(s) yet – this is considered a pending classification."

"Once FDA completes the hazard assessment, the Enforcement Report entry will be updated with the recall classification (Class I, II or III) indicating the hazard posed by the recalled product(s)," Dinges said.

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.