Search Here

S Martinelli & Co. is recalling more than 170,000 bottles of its popular apple juice across 28 US states due to concerns over patulin, a harmful toxin that can come from moldy fruit.

The recall, announced on March 18 and classified as Class II by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), involves 10-ounce round glass bottles with white metal screw tops.

The bottles in question are labeled with a "best by" date of December 5, 2026, ensuring their quality and freshness until that time.

Additionally, they feature a UPC code: 0 41244 04102 2, for easy identification and reference, CBS News said .

According to the FDA, Class II recalls are issued when products may cause temporary or medically reversible health problems. The company says no health issues have been reported so far.

"Martinelli's has worked with those retailers that received the product and the retailers have removed anything that still remained in inventory," the company said in a statement. "No other production dates or Martinelli's products are affected by this recall."

Martinelli's Recall Affects 28 States and Top Grocery Chains

The recalled bottles were sold in stores such as Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Hy-Vee, and Fareway.

The juice was available in these states: 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.

In total, 7,234 cases of juice were recalled. According to USA Today, each case held six packs, with four bottles per pack—making the total number of bottles affected 173,616.

Patulin, the toxin involved, is produced by certain types of fungi often found in rotting apples.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), consuming patulin may cause symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The FDA adds that pasteurizing juice does not remove patulin once it's present.

Martinelli's, a longtime juice maker based in Watsonville, California, did not immediately respond to questions about the cause of the contamination.

If you have purchased the recalled juice, check the label for the UPC code and best-by date. Consumers are urged not to drink it and to return the bottles to the store where they were purchased.