Walmart recalls almost 10,000 cases of apple juice sold in 25 states over arsenic fear

Walmart has issued a recall for nearly 10,000 cases of apple juice over contamination concerns with high levels of inorganic arsenic.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) escalated the recall to a Class II classification on Friday following its initial announcement on August 15. The recall affects 9,500 cases of "Great Value" brand apple juices , as stated by the FDA. This type of recall indicates that while the product may cause temporary adverse health consequences, it is "unlikely" to result in serious or irreversible medical issues.

The affected products were available at Walmart locations in 25 states and also in Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The apple juices come in six-packs of 8-ounce PET plastic bottles with a best-if-used-by date of December 28 of this year.

Florida-based Refresco Beverages US Inc. , the manufacturer, initiated the recall after detecting arsenic levels that surpassed industry standards, with measurements of 13.2 parts per billion according to the FDA's recall notice.

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The FDA made an announcement last June, stating that the industry guidance limit for inorganic arsenic in apple juices should be 10 parts per billion, reports the Express US .

Arsenic is a naturally occurring mineral found in the Earth's crust. The FDA explains that there are two types of arsenic - organic and inorganic - with the latter being more toxic to humans than the former. Inorganic arsenic is classified as a human carcinogen, or a substance that causes cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

While inorganic arsenic can be found in most food products such as poultry, dairy products, rice, and seafood, exposure to high levels of the mineral can still be dangerous, especially to young children.

Symptoms after short-term exposure include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, muscle cramping, and numbness or burning sensations in the hands and feet.

Long-term exposure can cause cancer and skin lesions after consuming the contaminated food or drinks, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The FDA did not disclose whether there were any confirmed illnesses or deaths in connection to the recalled products.