Martinelli's Recalls 170,000 Bottles Over Patulin Contamination Risk

Martinelli’s has voluntarily recalled over 170,000 bottles of its apple juice distributed across 28 US states after routine FDA testing identified elevated levels of patulin, a toxic substance produced by molds that can contaminate apples. The recall, classified as Class II by the FDA, means exposure may lead to temporary or medically reversible health effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal disturbances, though no health issues have been reported so far. The affected product consists of 10-ounce glass bottles with a best by date of December 5, 2026, and was sold at major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods. Martinelli’s stated that all remaining inventory of the implicated lot has been removed from store shelves and that no other products or production dates are affected. The FDA advises consumers not to consume the recalled juice and to return it to the place of purchase or dispose of it. Pasteurization does not remove patulin once present, so vigilance is advised for potentially contaminated juice.