CANCER-CAUSING METAL FOUND IN BREAKFAST DRINK SOLD AT WALMART AND WALGREENS; PRODUCT RECALLED

Matt Case - September 10th, 2024 - 8:07am PDT 

Health Officials Expand Apple Juice Recall Over Cancer-Causing Metal Fears

Health officials have expanded a nationwide recall of apple juice sold at major retailers due to concerns that it may be contaminated with cancer-causing metals.

On August 26, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Florida-based Refresco Beverages Inc. is voluntarily recalling 133,500 cases of apple juice, citing potential contamination with inorganic arsenic, a toxic compound often found in contaminated water.

The recalled apple juice products were sold in 26 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico at several well-known retailers, including Walmart, Walgreens, Aldi, Weis, Market Basket, BJ's, Dollar General, Lidl US, and Brooklyn Fare. So far, no illnesses have been reported related to the recall. Affected products have not yet been officially classified.

Inorganic arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in the Earth’s crust, as well as in water and soil. According to the World Health Organization, it is a known carcinogen and "highly toxic." Long-term exposure can result in serious health issues, such as skin lesions, developmental defects, diabetes, and lung and heart disease. Short-term exposure may lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and numbness in the hands or feet.

The apple juice recall comes shortly after the FDA announced plans to investigate several brands of tampons for the potential presence of arsenic and other heavy metals, including lead and cadmium.