Popular fruit juice recalled in multiple states, fears that it can kill if consumed
In this DML Report…
Over 66,000 bottles of Wamona fruit juice, sold under brands like WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis, have been recalled across 12 states due to contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that produces a toxin causing botulism—a rare but deadly illness. The recall, initiated by Wanabana LLC in Florida on October 31, 2024, and upgraded to an FDA Class I status on March 31, 2025, targets apple juice and apple puree products after tests confirmed the presence of the bacteria, which thrives in low-oxygen environments like sealed bottles. The affected products, distributed to retailers including Amazon, Dollar Tree, and Walmart, were pulled after eight reported cases, including four children hospitalized with symptoms like blurred vision, slurred speech, and breathing issues.
Clostridium botulinum can paralyze or kill by attacking the nervous system, with symptoms appearing 12 to 36 hours after consumption—ranging from nausea and vomiting to muscle paralysis and respiratory failure. The FDA’s Class I designation signals a high risk of “serious adverse health consequences or death,” with the CDC noting botulism’s lethality if untreated, though antitoxins can reverse early effects. The recalled juices, including 100% apple juice in 6.75oz bottles and puree pouches with cinnamon, were sold in states like California, Florida, New York, and Texas, with expiration dates from May to December 2025—consumers are urged to discard or return them immediately.
(see more below)
The outbreak has hit hard, with four of the eight victims developing respiratory failure requiring ventilators, and all cases linked to the recalled products consumed between August and November 2024. Wanabana LLC acted after a supplier flagged potential contamination from improperly sealed bottles, a defect allowing bacterial growth. As of April 1, the FDA reports no deaths, but the agency and CDC are tracking the situation closely, advising parents to watch for symptoms in kids and seek medical help fast if botulism is suspected, while the recall aims to halt further spread of this dangerous pathogen.