Another massive recall is coming as American families in 28 states are at risk after over 170,000 bottles of popular apple juice were pulled from the market due to contamination with a potentially harmful toxin.
Martinelli’s, a trusted brand dating back to 1868, has voluntarily recalled their signature bottles as government regulators warn about health risks.
On March 18, S Martinelli & Company initiated the voluntary pull of 7,234 cases containing 173,616 bottles of apple juice.
This comes after the detection of possible patulin contamination, a dangerous mycotoxin that can cause various health problems, including nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress.
For families with these products in their homes, the affected juice comes in Martinelli’s distinctive 10-ounce bulbous glass bottles with white metal screw top lids.
The products have a UPC code of “0 41244 04102 2” and a best-by date of December 5, 2026.
The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, so parents should immediately check their refrigerators and pantries for these potentially contaminated products.
Patulin is particularly concerning because it is resistant to heat and pasteurization, making it difficult to eliminate through normal safety processes.
According to the agency, this toxin is “produced by Penicillium, Aspergillus and Byssochylamys molds that grow on fruit, grains and cheese.”
The contamination persisted despite the company’s normal safety procedures, including flash-pasteurization.
Moreover, the government has established safety limits for patulin, with the FDA setting a maximum allowable level of 50 micrograms per kilogram in apple juice products.
However, this toxin can cause immune system suppression and DNA damage even at lower levels with prolonged exposure.
The 28 affected states span much of the country, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana.
Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin are also included.
As per the company’s website, Martinelli’s has been bottling apple juice since 1868, building a reputation for quality that’s now threatened by this contamination issue.
In spite of its claimed rigorous production methods, this major recall raises questions about quality control in American food production and the effectiveness of FDA oversight.
Consumers who have purchased the affected juice should return it to the place of purchase or discard it immediately.
While Fox News Digital has contacted Martinelli’s for additional comment, the company has yet to provide a more detailed explanation about how this contamination occurred or what steps it is taking to prevent similar issues in the future.
