Those who recently consumed apple juice purchased from Aldi, BJ's Wholesale Club, Dollar General, Lidl, Market Basket, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, or Weis Markets may have been exposed to a highly toxic poison.
Last month, Refresco Beverages voluntarily recalled nearly 10,000 cases of Great Value 100% Apple Juice sold at Wal-Mart stores in 25 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration then released an enforcement report stating that the "products contain inorganic arsenic above action level set in guidance to industry."
The recall has expanded to 133,500 cases, including several additional brands sold nationwide. The FDA's updated enforcement report shows the product code information, brands, and stores affected by the recall.
Netherlands-based Refresco Beverages, which has U.S. headquarters in Tampa, Florida, said that they initiated the recall when they found its apple juice product "contained inorganic arsenic slightly above the FDA's 10 ppb (parts per billion) action level." Fox Business reported the apple juice had arsenic levels of 13.2 parts per billion.
Refresco Beverages' statement continued: "At this time there are no reported incidents caused by these products. We are working diligently to address the situation and encourage consumers to check the FDAs recall list and use the information on their site to determine if they are in possession of products that fall within this proactive, voluntary recall."
Although arsenic in large doses is toxic to humans, it's a naturally occurring mineral taken up by plants and ingested by animals, entering the food supply. It may be found in apples because of the environment where they are grown or processed. Pollution can also increase arsenic levels, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
According to the FDA, short-term exposure to high amounts of inorganic arsenic can result in nausea, vomiting, bruising, and numbness or burning in the hands and feet.
The long-term health effects depend on the level of arsenic in the food, the age of the consumer, and the length, amount, and frequency of exposure to arsenic in food. In young children, high levels of arsenic can lead to adverse neurological effects, such as learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and lowered IQ, according to the FDA. Adults can experience skin disorders and increased risks for skin, bladder, and lung cancers, as well as cardiovascular disease.
Since most nutritious foods contain contaminants, the FDA recommends that consumers "eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within the main food groups of vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and protein foods."
