FDA Announces Major Juice Recall – How Are Texans Affected?

(KPEL-FM)When it comes to eating I think it's safe to say we Texans "eat good" but we probably don't "eat well". The difference in the two statements is like the difference between Dallas and Fort Worth. One is fancy, and the other is more for real folks.

By saying "eat good" we mean the food is delicious and wonderful in flavor and presentation. It's what common folks eat. By "eat well" the food can still be prepared wonderfully well and have great flavor, but it's good for us. You know healthy stuff like salads and beets and juices from plants we've never heard of. That's the fancy stuff.

Now that's not saying a Texans can't whip up an incredible salad. A salad with beef, eggs, turkey, cheese, loads of dressing, and of course bacon. That's how you make healthy food not so healthy and we do it all the time.  That's why it always seems so ironic when we are notified of a product that is generally thought to be "healthy" that could make you sick or worse.

What Fruit Juice Has Been Recalled?

Juice is one of those products that at first blush almost all of us would consider to be a healthy alternative. However, if you look at the amount of sugar in some fruit juices, you realize that not all are truly a "healthy choice". And when there is a hiccup in the manufacturing process the juice in question becomes even more of a concern for consumers.

An issue in the manufacturing processes of a juice made by Walker Wine Juice LLC of Forestville New York has caught the attention of FDA inspectors. The FDA has issued a recall for a certain variety of juice from Walker Wine Juice LLC over concerns involving botulism.

Botulism is a serious bacterial infection that causes muscle paralysis. Symptoms of botulism include muscle weakness, blurred or double vision, difficulty swallowing or speaking, drooping eyelids, and issues with breathing. It is a serious medical condition if not detected and treated early.

The juice product in question is the company's pumpkin juice which is sold in various forms across the nation. The recalled products can be identified as follows:

2.5-gallon bag in box and 5-gallon hot pack are labeled “pumpkin”; All lots are subject to the recall
30-, 60-, and 275-gallon bulk containers are tagged “pumpkin”; All lots are subject to the recall.

A preliminary investigation suggests that the juice was not adequately processed during the "hot-fill" schedule in the manufacturing process. This led to a higher-than-normal pH number and suggested that the product had not adequately addressed the possibility of microbiological hazards. Hence, the recall.

For the most part, the juice covered under this really was sold in the Midwest but it is possible some of the affected products could have been sold either online or in markets in Louisiana. Many of the company's products are used by hobbyists who make homemade wine. 

If you find that you do have some of the recalled products in your home you're encouraged to call Walker's Wine Juice at 716-679-1292 Ext 1016.