Martinelli's juice toxicity contamination: Company recalls more than 170,000 apple juice bottles
S. Martinelli & Company voluntarily recalled thousands of juice bottles distributed in 28 U.S. states after detecting elevated levels of patulin, a potentially harmful substance produced by mold.
More than 170,000 bottles of apple juice are being recalled from the U.S. market by Watsonville, California-based S. Martinelli & Company. The recall was voluntarily issued on March 18 after routine testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected elevated levels of patulin in a specific lot of 10-ounce glass bottles.
Patulin is a naturally occurring toxin produced by certain types of mold that can grow on fruits like apples. Although no health problems have been reported so far associated with the product, the recall seeks to prevent any potential risks to consumers. The company stated that it maintains high quality standards and that the health of its customers is its priority.
Product distribution and recall details
The recall affects more than 7,200 cases of Martinelli apple juice, each containing 24 bottles, distributed in 28 states, including California, Texas, New York, Florida, and North Carolina. The product involved corresponds solely to the batch manufactured in December 2023 and packaged in 10-ounce glass bottles sold in four-packs.
The affected products have a use-by date of December 5, 2026, and are identified by the UPC code number 0 41244 04102 2, located below the barcode. Martinelli indicated that the remaining items have already been removed from retailers' inventory, with whom they have worked in coordination to prevent the product from being further available to the public.
Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by various fungi commonly found on apples. Photo: Incubadora UNCAus
What is patulin and why is its presence a concern?
Patulin is a mycotoxin that can develop during the decomposition process of apples, especially if damaged fruit is not properly removed before processing. The National Library of Medicine considers its presence an indicator of product quality, as its presence in juices or purees suggests deficiencies in raw material control.
Although few cases of serious adverse effects from exposure to patulin in food have been reported, consuming it at high levels can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal disorders. For this reason, its presence in food products is regulated by agencies such as the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).