Shoppers across multiple states are being urged to check their pantries following a recall of more than 44,000 cans of Great Value fruit cocktail due to potential lead contamination. Pacific Coast Producers issued the recall for 1,836 cases of Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate, packaged in 15-ounce cans, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. With each case containing 24 individual units, the total number of recalled products reaches 44,064 cans.
The affected merchandise was distributed to retail locations across seven states, specifically including Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wyoming. Consumers can identify the recalled products by checking the universal product code, which is listed as 078742369570. In addition, the impacted cans bear the lot code 6FCB 04 C2263 and carry a “Best If Used By” date of Sept. 1, 2027.
Federal health regulators noted that the canned fruit products may be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Pacific Coast Producers initiated the voluntary recall on Oct. 1, and the FDA formally classified the action as a Class II recall on Oct. 20. Under FDA guidelines, a Class II classification indicates that exposure to the affected product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or that the probability of serious adverse health outcomes remains remote.
Representatives for retail giant Walmart could not be reached immediately for comment regarding the distribution and removal of the tainted fruit cocktail. The canned fruit recall follows another recent product safety action involving Walmart merchandise, which recently recalled nearly 4.5 million Expert Grill brushes over concerns that wire bristles could detach during cleaning and become lodged in food or on cooking surfaces.
