Martinelli's recalls 170,000 juice bottles due to deadly fungus danger

Martinelli’s is recalling over 170,000 apple juice bottles because their contents could be contaminated with patulin, a toxic substance produced by certain fungi.

According to the FDA recall notice, the round glass 10-ounce bottles with white metal screw-top lids were distributed in 28 states, ranging from Alabama to Wisconsin. S. Martinelli & Co., the beverage company based in Watsonville, California, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The recall is classified as Class II, which, according to FDA guidelines, indicates that a product may “cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

“To date, we have not had any reported health issues related to the recall,” Martinelli’s said in an email to CBS MoneyWatch.

“Martinelli’s has worked with the retailers who received the product, and they have removed any remaining inventory. This recall has no effect on other Martinelli production dates or products, it added.

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by a variety of fungal species and is typically associated with fungi-infected foods, such as apples, according to the peer-reviewed journal Toxicon. The journal Frontiers in Science reports that its side effects may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The following are the states where Martinelli’s juice bottles were distributed: