Over 7,000 cases of apple juice, totaling more than 170,000 bottles, have been recalled by S Martinelli & Company, headquartered in Watsonville, California. The recall, announced on March 18, addresses potential patulin contamination, as stated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This recall involves 7,234 cases, each containing four 10-ounce glass bottles, with six packs per case, amounting to 173,616 bottles.
Classified as a Class II recall, the use or exposure to the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences." Patulin, a toxic substance found in rotting apples and apple products, is not removed by pasteurization, according to the FDA. The World Health Organization notes that acute symptoms from patulin consumption include nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, and vomiting.
The FDA reports that the recalled apple juice was distributed across 28 U.S. 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. The product was sold in 10-ounce "bulbous/round glass bottles" with a "white metal screw top lid," featuring a "best by" date of Dec. 5, 2026, and a UPC number of "0 41244 04102 2."
USA Today attempted to contact S Martinelli & Company on April 26 but received no response.
Source: USA Today
