Apple juice sold in Florida stores recalled for arsenic. Here's what you should know

Cheryl McCloud and Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·4 min read

One lot of Martinelli’s apple juice sold by several Florida retailers is being recalled over concerns of high arsenic levels, the company announced.

The voluntary recall came after the state of Maryland found samples from a single lot of the juice tested above the guidance level for inorganic arsenic.

The apple juice is sold in one-liter bottles,

Here's what you should know.

What apple juice has been recalled for arsenic?

The Martinelli’s apple juice that is being recalled is:

  • 1-liter (33.8-ounce) bottles with a best-by date of March 9, 2026 or March 10, 2026.

It was sent to stores between March 13, 2023, and Sept. 27, 2023, with most of it shipped before July 28, 2023.

Recalled apple juice sold by several Florida retailers

Martinelli's apple juice is sold at several big-name retailers, including these in Florida:

Has anyone gotten sick from drinking Martinelli's apple juice?

No illnesses have been reported as a result of the recall, the Watsonville, California-based company wrote in its announcement letter to grocery stores dated April 16.

How much arsenic is in the recalled apple juice?

The Maryland Department of Health reported test results for Martinelli's March 2023 production lot showed 11.6 parts per billion for inorganic arsenic — 1.6 ppb higher than FDA guidelines.

In June 2023, the FDA issued guidance lowering the industry action level for inorganic arsenic in apple juice from 23 ppb to 10 ppb.

That guidance came 22 years after the Environmental Protection Agency adopted a lower standard of 10 ppb for arsenic in drinking water, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That standard replaced the prior standard of 50 ppb.

"The guidance supports the FDA’s goal to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants from foods commonly consumed by babies and young children," according to the FDA.

"The FDA expects that the 10 ppb action level, though non-binding, will help to encourage manufacturers to reduce levels of inorganic arsenic in apple juice. The agency will continue its current practice of monitoring arsenic in apple juice samples and if testing identifies inorganic arsenic in apple juice above 10 ppb, the FDA will consider this action level, in addition to other factors, to determine whether to take enforcement action."

How can arsenic get into food?

Arsenic may be in food since it is in the environment where foods are grown, raised, or processed, the FDA said.

"Arsenic in the soil, air, and water may occur naturally or may be present due to human activity, such as the past use of arsenic containing pesticides or pollution from mining, fracking, and coal-fired power plants.

"It is not possible to entirely remove arsenic from the environment or from the food supply," the FDA said.

What happens if you're exposed to arsenic?

"Unusually large doses of inorganic arsenic can cause symptoms ranging from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea to dehydration and shock," according to the Centers for Disease Control.

"Long-term exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic in drinking water is associated with certain medical conditions. These conditions include skin disorders, an increased risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and several types of cancer. Inorganic arsenic and arsenic compounds are considered to be cancer-causing chemicals."

What should you do if you purchased the apple juice?

Buyers who purchased the affected product should immediately stop using it and throw it out.

Consumers with questions can call Martinelli’s at 1-800-662-1868.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Arsenic found Martinelli's apple juice sold Florida, US. What to do