If you have purchased apple juice recently, it is important to check your fridge due to a significant recall. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated a voluntary recall for Martinelli & Company Apple Juice due to concerns about potential contamination with patulin. According to the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), patulin is a mycotoxin metabolite produced naturally by various fungal species growing on fruit. Apples are particularly prone to high levels of patulin, which can occur in moulded fruit, though the spoilage might not always be obvious.
The World Health Organization warns that mycotoxins can cause adverse health effects, ranging from acute poisoning to long-term issues such as immune deficiency and cancer. This recall has been classified as a Class II recall by the FDA, indicating that exposure to the product may cause temporary or reversible adverse health consequences.
The recall affects 7,234 cases of apple juice, each containing four 10-ounce glass bottles per pack with six packs per case, totaling 173,616 bottles. The affected products have the UPC “0 41244 04102 2” and a best-by date of December 5, 2026. These cases were distributed across 28 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, and others.
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