FDA Expands Apple Juice Recall: Aldi, Walgreens, Weis Products May Contain Arsenic- Check Symptoms Of Poisoning

Updated Sep 15, 2024 | 07:04 PM IST

SummaryAn expanded recall of over 133,500 cases of apple juice has been issued due to elevated arsenic levels. The affected products, sold nationwide, pose moderate health risks. No illnesses reported yet.
FDA Expands Apple Juice Recall (Credit: Canva)

FDA Expands Apple Juice Recall (Credit: Canva)

An expanded recall of apple juice products has been announced due to concerns over elevated levels of arsenic. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an additional 133,500 cases of apple juice have been voluntarily recalled by Refresco Beverages, Inc., bringing the total number of recalled cases to over 140,000.

This follows an earlier recall in August, which involved 10,000 cases of Great Value apple juice sold at Walmart. The affected products were sold at various major retailers, including Walmart, Walgreens, Aldi, BJ’s, Dollar General, and other stores nationwide.

Refresco Beverages issued the recall after discovering that certain batches of its 100% apple juice contained arsenic levels slightly above the FDA's action limit of 10 parts per billion (ppb). The FDA has established this threshold to minimize arsenic exposure in food products, especially those consumed by young children. Although arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in soil and groundwater, elevated levels can pose health risks, particularly with long-term exposure.

The recall affects several brands, including Market Basket, Nice!, Wellsley Farms, Weis, Urban Meadow, and Nature’s Nectar. The FDA has posted a comprehensive list of the impacted products on its website, including specific product codes and best-by dates to help consumers identify the recalled apple juice.

Health Risks and FDA Classification

The initial recall in August was classified as a Class II recall, meaning the elevated arsenic levels posed a moderate health risk. According to the FDA, Class II recalls suggest that consumption of the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, with only a remote chance of serious health consequences.

While the latest recall expansion has not yet been officially classified, it is expected to follow similar guidelines.

As of now, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recalled apple juice. However, consumers are advised to check their purchases and return any affected products to the store where they were bought.

In a statement updated on Monday, Refresco Beverages emphasized its commitment to consumer safety. “The safety of consumers is always our top priority,” the company stated. “On August 23, 2024, out of an abundance of caution, we voluntarily initiated a recall of some select lots of 100% apple juice products produced using supplier-provided concentrate when we became aware that previously manufactured product contained inorganic arsenic slightly above the FDA’s 10 ppb action level.”

According to a CNN Health report, the FDA’s 10 ppb limit for inorganic arsenic in apple juice was set in June 2023 as part of an effort to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants in food, particularly for babies and young children. However, this limit is not a mandatory requirement, and the FDA considers other factors when deciding to take action on arsenic levels in foods.

What is Arsenic Poisoning?

Arsenic poisoning happens when a person ingests or consumes large amounts of arsenic, similar to other heavy metal poisonings like mercury and lead. While acute arsenic poisoning can occur rapidly, long-term exposure is more common. This typically happens through contaminated sources such as groundwater, air, soil, or food. Areas with significant agricultural or industrial activity are often where arsenic poisoning is most prevalent. If not addressed quickly, arsenic poisoning can lead to severe health complications and even death.

Symptoms of Arsenic Toxicity

Short-term exposure to high arsenic levels can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure can lead to more severe health problems, including skin pigmentation changes, warts, lesions, and reduced nerve function.

In children, chronic arsenic exposure has been linked to lower IQ scores and developmental issues.

Inorganic arsenic compounds, which are more toxic than organic forms, are commonly found in groundwater and soil, particularly in regions with heavy agricultural or industrial activity. Prolonged exposure to inorganic arsenic can increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other serious health conditions.

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1 In 4 Indian Couples Are Overweight, Finds ICMR; How Obesity Is Now Becoming A Relationship Problem?

Updated Jul 16, 2025 | 05:35 PM IST

SummaryAn ICMR study finds one in four Indian married couples is overweight or obese, linking shared habits, affluence, and urban lifestyle to rising health risks among young couples.
1 In 4 Indian Couples Are Overweight, Finds ICMR; How Obesity Is Now Becoming A Relationship Problem?

Credits: Canva

Obesity is no longer just a health issue, it is increasingly becoming a social phenomenon and a lifestyle disease. A recent study published in Current Developments in Nutrition, led by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found that 27.4% of Indian married couples share similar overweight or obese status.

Analyzing data from over 52,000 married couples across India using the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–21), the study points to a troubling pattern- in wealthier, urban households, especially among young couples, there is a significantly higher risk of both partners becoming overweight or obese. At its core, this research uncovers how daily habits, routines, and food choices within marriages are driving a quiet but dangerous health trend across the country.

Are Shared Habits A Risk Factor for Married Couples?

Unlike genetically linked conditions, obesity in married couples cannot be attributed to shared biology. So how does this mirroring occur? It is in environmental exposure, mutual behaviors, socio-economic context, and emotional co-regulation.

According to lead researcher Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh of ICMR’s National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, spousal similarities in health outcomes ranging from obesity and hypertension to smoking and sedentary behavior stem from shared lifestyles. These include eating patterns, physical activity (or lack thereof), screen time, media consumption, and stress management. Over time, habits converge especially in nuclear families with fewer social checks and less structured meal routines.

The study found that urban couples had a 38.4% concordance rate, significantly higher than rural couples (22.1%). Among the wealthiest households, this figure jumped to 47.6%, compared to only 10.2% in the poorest.

Where Obesity in Couples Is Rising Fastest In India?

Geographic disparities highlight how development and affluence correlate with rising obesity. States and territories with the highest spousal obesity concordance include:

  • Kerala (51.3%)
  • Jammu & Kashmir (48.5%)
  • Manipur (47.9%)
  • Delhi (47.1%)
  • Goa (45.0%)
  • Tamil Nadu (42.7%)
  • Punjab (42.5%)

By contrast, states in eastern and northeastern India—where economic development is slower—showed much lower concordance rates, typically ranging from 19% to 22%.

“These figures underscore India’s uneven nutrition transition,” explains Dr. Shalini Singh, senior co-author of the study. “In wealthier regions, processed food consumption and reduced physical activity are becoming the norm. Marriage and cohabitation intensify these shared exposures, turning households into hotbeds of metabolic dysfunction.”

Is This A Disturbing Trend Among Under-30 Couples?

Perhaps the most concerning revelation is the early onset of weight gain in young couples. The study shows particularly high obesity concordance in couples under the age of 30, especially in Kerala (42.8%), Goa (37%), Jammu & Kashmir (31.6%), and Tamil Nadu (29.6%).

“This trend is alarming because early obesity increases the lifetime risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, PCOS, and metabolic syndrome,” says Dr. Singh. “We’re seeing the impact of lifestyle-driven diseases unfold during what should be the most productive and healthiest years of life.”

The study also examined behavioral patterns that reinforce spousal weight concordance. For instance, 32.8% of couples reported regular television watching, while 39.6% reported newspaper reading, both indicative of sedentary behavior. Dependence on processed and ultra-processed food, especially in nuclear households, was another major contributor.

Interestingly, couples with similar education levels (about 45.2%) showed higher obesity concordance (31.4%), likely due to aligned food preferences, media consumption, and leisure routines.

The type of family structure also mattered. Nuclear families had a 28.9% concordance rate, higher than the 25.9% seen in joint families, where shared responsibilities and traditional food habits often foster more physical activity and balanced meals.

This Indian data fits into a much broader global trend. According to the World Obesity Atlas 2022, over 2.5 billion adults (43% of the global population) were overweight, and 890 million (16%) were obese. The burden of obesity now surpasses many infectious diseases and contributes to over 160 million years of healthy life lost annually due to comorbidities like heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, and several cancers.

In India alone, obesity rates among adults are expected to climb significantly by 2040—27.4% of women and 30.5% of men, up from roughly 24% in 2021. If the patterns observed in married couples hold, these numbers could surge even faster than projected.

The study calls for a paradigm shift in how health interventions are designed. Rather than focusing on individuals, researchers urge a couple-based or household-level approach that takes into account the social dynamics of behavior change.

“Obesity is socially transmissible,” Dr. Singh emphasizes. “So the solution must also be social. Targeted public health messaging, fitness programs designed for couples, dietary counseling for families, and insurance incentives for preventive care at the household level are the need of the hour.”

Additionally, there’s a need to engage urban, affluent, and media-exposed demographics—who are often the earliest adopters of fast food, sedentary habits, and digital lifestyles—with interventions that feel relevant, aspirational, and sustainable.

As global health systems grapple with the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases, the Indian study offers a crucial insight: marriage can amplify risk—but also holds the key to prevention. By targeting couples early and acknowledging the influence of shared environments, public health systems can make strides in reversing obesity trends.

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Veteran Actor Dheeraj Kumar Dies At 79 Due To Acute Pneumonia

Updated Jul 16, 2025 | 03:18 PM IST

SummaryVeteran actor-producer Dheeraj Kumar, 79, passed away in Mumbai due to acute pneumonia and organ failure. Known for his work in films and TV, he began his career in 1965.
Veteran Actor Dheeraj Kumar Dies At 79 Due To Acute Pneumonia

Credits: Canva and Wikimedia Commons

Veteran actor and producer Dheeraj Kumar, best known for his contributions to Hindi and Punjabi cinema, passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday, July 15. He was 79.

Admitted with Pneumonia, Succumbed to Organ Failure

According to sources close to the family, Kumar had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit after being diagnosed with acute pneumonia. His health took a critical turn on Monday as he suffered multiple organ failure and was subsequently placed on ventilator support. He breathed his last around 11 AM on Tuesday, with his son by his side in his final moments.

A Career That Began With a Talent Contest

Dheeraj Kumar’s journey into the world of entertainment began in the mid-1960s, when he participated in a talent contest that also featured Rajesh Khanna and Subhash Ghai. In a 2012 interview with The Hindu, Kumar recalled:

“In a talent contest in Mumbai in the 1960s, three were selected to be actors among some 10,000 aspirants — Rajesh Khanna, myself and Subhash Ghai... He became a superstar.”

Also Read: Shubhanshu Shukla Returns From ISS, What All Medical Examinations Are Lined Up

Kumar went on to act in several films, including Rakhwala, Tyaag and Sargam, and shared screen space with many leading actors of the time. Over the years, he transitioned into television production and was known for creating popular shows such as Om Namah Shivay and Shree Ganesh. His last known collaboration with Rajesh Khanna was a TV series in 2019.

Understanding Pneumonia and Its Risks

As per the American Lung Association, pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs (alveoli) of one or both lungs. These air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, leading to symptoms that range from mild to life-threatening. Acute pneumonia, in particular, can cause sudden and severe respiratory symptoms.

Some of the common symptoms include:

  • Persistent cough with yellow, green, or bloody mucus
  • High fever, sweating and chills
  • Shortness of breath and chest pain while coughing or breathing
  • Fatigue, nausea or vomiting
  • Confusion, especially in older adults

Kumar’s condition is a reminder that pneumonia can escalate quickly, especially in older individuals or those with weakened immune systems.

Also Read: After Jannik Sinner, Tara Moore Makes News Failing Her Doping Test, Resulting In A 4-Year Long Ban

Can Pneumonia Be Fatal?

Yes, pneumonia can be deadly—especially when left untreated or when it occurs in high-risk individuals. According to global estimates, as noted by the American Lungs Association, over 1.8 million people die from pneumonia each year, with children under five in low-income countries being the most vulnerable. In older adults, complications such as respiratory failure, sepsis, or organ failure often lead to death.

Bacterial pneumonia is more likely to require hospitalization, but viral and fungal forms can also be life-threatening. Vaccines such as the pneumococcal vaccine and flu shots can significantly reduce the risk of infection, particularly in older adults.

Maintaining overall health, timely vaccinations, and early medical intervention are critical in preventing complications.

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Tara Moore Fails Doping Test, Handed 4-Year Ban—Follows Jannik Sinner in Doping Controversy Spotlight

Updated Jul 16, 2025 | 04:45 PM IST

SummaryJannik Sinner's name again came up for anti-doping tests and failing the same. Now, British tennis player, Tara Moore too is making news after she had failed her doping test which had been cleared 18 months ago. This has led to a 4-year-long ban. Which drugs were found in her tests? What impact does it have on the body. To know, continue to read.
After Jannik Sinner, Tara Moore Makes News Failing Her Doping Test, Resulting In A 4-Year Long Ban

Credits: Wikimedia Commons and Canva

After Jannik Sinner's news of anti-doping test, British tennis player Tara Moore is also making news. The 32-year-old was Britain's top ranked women's doubles player when she was provisionally banned in May 2022. Again, she has been banned for four years for a doping offence, though she had been cleared for the same by an independent tribunal just 18 months ago.

She was tested positive for nandrolone and boldenone at a tournament in the Colombian capital Bogota the previous month.

The reason Moore provided was due to the ingestion of contaminated meat. While in December 2023, an independent tribunal ruled that contaminated meat was the reason that the test came positive and Moore "bore no fault or negligence"; the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) thinks otherwise.

Also Read: Shubhanshu Shukla Returns From ISS, What All Medical Examinations Are Lined Up

ITIA has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas). In the March hearing, Cas said in a media release: "After reviewing the scientific and legal evidence, the majority of the Cas panel considered that the player did not succeed in proving that the concentration of nandrolone in her sample was consistent with the ingestion of contaminated meat."

This means Moore will not be free to play again until the start of 2028 season. "The panel concluded that Ms Moore failed to establish that the ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation) was not intentional. The appeal by the ITIA is therefore upheld and the decision rendered by the Independent Tribunal is set aside."

The ITIA chief executive Karen Moorhouse told BBC,"For the ITIA, every case is considered according to the individual facts and circumstances. In this case, our independent scientific advice was that the player did not adequately explain the high level of nandrolone present in their sample. Today's ruling is consistent with this position."

What Do Nandrolone Decanoate And Boldenone Do To You?

Nandrolone Decanoate: As per a 2020 study published in journal Medicina, nandrolone decanoate is an androgen, which means it plays a significant role in the development of male reproductive organs. The study notes: "The clinical use of synthetic testosterone derivatives, such as nandrolone, is focused on maximizing the anabolic effects and minimizing the androgenic ones." The study also mentions that apart from its clinical use, skeletal muscles can be considered as the primary target tissue. "Nowadays, especially athletes in power sports such as bodybuilding and weightlifting administer illegally high doses of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) to increase their muscle mass and improve their overall performance," notes the study.

Nandrolone Decanoate injections have been classified under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990 and due to its serious health risks, it is banned by most sports organization and is also listed in the prohibition list by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Side Effects Include:

  • Infertility
  • Liver Toxicity
  • Impaired Lipid Profile
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Acne
  • Hair Loss
  • Gynecomastia

Boldenone: As per a 2016 study published in the Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, this AAS can be used in repairing wasting of the body caused by some emaciating disease. It can also be used for human sports for better performance and promoting the growth of skeletal muscle.

However, this is also used for increasing the body weight in livestock as growth-promoting agents. This is also one of the matters the study looks into, in order to "evaluate the safety and meat quality criteria in broilers following intramuscular injection of boldenone." This is the reason Moore too used in her defense, that the result of her positive test was contaminated meat.

The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) notes that there is no therapeutic or medical use for boldenone in humans. More specifically, it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in humans for any reason. It also notes that WADA has included boldenone in its prohibited list. Since it could occur naturally at very low concentrations in the urine, WADA-accredited laboratories apply a specific analysis procedure called carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry, or GC/C/IRMS, to differentiate between external administration and internal production.

What are the side effects? USADA notes that in men, boldenone causes decreased testosterone production and impacts the reproductive system and fertility of males. It also impacts the size of the testes, lower sperm count, and sperm mobility.

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