Apple Juice Recall Expands to Aldi, BJ’s, Walgreens, Among Other Retailers

An initial recall of nearly 10,000 cases of Walmart’s Great Value brand apple juice has grown to over 140,000 cases, now affecting multiple brands and stores, due to levels of inorganic arsenic higher than recommended by industry guidelines, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced.

While the exact levels of arsenic have not been disclosed, the FDA said the products may cause minor but treatable health issues with a low chance of serious health problems.

The juices were manufactured by Refresco Beverages of Tampa, Florida, which initiated the recall “out of an abundance of caution” after discovering that its products were made with “supplier provided concentrate” containing inorganic arsenic “slightly above” the FDA’s 10 parts per billion limit.

There are no reported incidents caused by the recalled juices, the company added in a statement.

The recalled apple juice was sold in various sizes, all packaged in PET plastic bottles. Below are the products, brands and retailers. Click on the store name for retailer-specific details.

• Aldi: Natures Nectar 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz.; best by March, 26, 2025 (CT89-4); March, 27, 2025 (CT89-4)
• BJ’s: Wellsley Farms 100% Apple Juice; 96 oz.; use by March, 26, 2025 (CT89-5)
• Dollar General: Clover Valley 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz.; best by March, 27, 2025 (CT89-4)
• Key Food: Urban Meadow 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz.; best by March 26, 2025 (CT89-1)
• Lidl: Solevita 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz; best By March 27, 2025 (CT89-4)
• Market Basket: Market Basket 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz.; code 032525 (CT89-1)
• Tropical Delight 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz.; best by July 25, 2025
• Walgreens: Nice! 100% Apple Juice ; 64 oz.; best by March 25, 2025 (CT89-1)
• Walmart: Great Value 8 oz. Apple Juice in 6-pack; best by Dec. 26, 2024 (CT89-6); Dec. 27, 2024 (CT89-6)
• Walmart: Great Value 96 oz. Apple Juice; best by Dec. 26, 2024 (CT89-5); Dec. 27, 2024 (CT89-5); Dec. 28, 2024 (CT89-5) 
• Weis: Weis 100% Apple Juice; 64 oz.; sell by March, 25, 2025 (CT89-1)

The recalled juice was sold in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Arsenic and water

Arsenic can end up in food from the environment where it’s grown, raised or processed, said the FDA. The amount of arsenic in the environment can change based on the natural makeup of the area and if there has been past or current use of products containing arsenic nearby.

High levels of inorganic arsenic, the type detected in the apple juice recall, is most commonly found in contaminated drinking water, according to the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If low levels of inorganic arsenic are swallowed, you may experience stomach or intestinal irritation with symptoms such as a stomachache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, said the CDC.

Editor's note: This story, originally published August 26, 2024, has been updated.