If you have canned fruit in your pantry, you may want to double-check the label. More than 44,000 cans of fruit cocktail sold at Walmart have been recalled because they could contain elevated levels of lead, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Pacific Coast Producers issued a voluntary recall on Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate, which was distributed to Walmart stores in seven states. Get all the details—including what to do if you are in possession of this recalled fruit—below.
Women Are Swapping Their Boring Water For This Ice Pop Electrolyte Mix!
What Canned Fruit Is Being Recalled?
According to the FDA's recall information, California-based Pacific Coast Producers initiated the recall on October 1, affecting 1,836 cases containing a total of 44,064 cans. The FDA classified the recall as Class II on October 20, meaning consuming the affected product could cause temporary or medically reversible health effects.
The affected products were distributed to Walmart stores in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming.
To find out if you have a recalled can of fruit, check the product details. Recalled cans of the impacted Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate are labeled with the following.
- Lot code: 6FCB 04 C2263
- UPC: 078742369570
- Best-if-used-by date: September 1, 2027
The recall was issued due to "potential contamination with elevated levels of lead," according to the FDA's enforcement report. This warning should be taken seriously, as lead exposure can pose serious health risks, particularly for young children and pregnant women; it can affect brain development and other bodily functions.
What should you do if you bought recalled fruit?
If you have a can matching the recalled product's lot code and best-if-used-by date, do not eat it. Instead, discard the product or return it to Walmart for a refund.
Although the FDA's Class II classification indicates that serious adverse health consequences are considered unlikely, lead exposure is still a concern. The agency notes that there is no known safe level of lead exposure, making it important to take food safety warnings seriously.
For more information, shoppers can consult the FDA's recall and safety alert resources for updates and additional guidance.
Staying in-the-know about recalls is a good way to protect your health and safety.
