Publix posts a recall of apple juice also sold by others. Testing found too much arsenic

One lot of Martinelli’s Apple Juice has been recalled after state testing discovered inorganic arsenic exceeding FDA standards.

Though Martinelli’s is a popular apple juice nationwide and the company website says the recalled apple juice is sold by Walmart, Target, Kroger and Winn-Dixie among others, the company’s website and social media was silent about it. Among retailers, Publix’s website posted the recall announcement.

When the state of Maryland tested samples from a March 2023 production lot, the samples tested as 11.6 parts per billion for inorganic arsenic. But in June, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lowered the industry action level for inorganic arsenic in apple juice from 23 parts per billion to 10 to encourage a reduction in inorganic arsenic.

This wasn’t an absolute requirement with consequences for being above 10 ppb, but Martinelli’s made a voluntary recall anyway.

“At S. Martinelli & Company, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of excellence, and the health and safety of our customers remains our greatest priority,” a statement emailed to the Miami Herald said. “In full cooperation with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, we issued a voluntary recall. We will continue to cooperate with the FDA on any further direction, beyond what was already sent out to our retail customers.”

Exposure to inorganic arsenic, the FDA said, can lead to diabetes, cancer, birth problems, heart and developmental problems.

But, the agency said, “it is not possible to entirely remove arsenic from the environment or from the food supply.”

What’s recalled comes in 1-liter (33.8-ounce) bottles with a best by date of March 9 or 10, 2026. It was sent to stores between March 13, 2023, and Sept. 27, 2023.

If you have this juice, return it to the store for a full refund or throw it away.

If you have questions about this recall, call Martinelli’s at 800-662-1868.