The Walmart Great Value fruit cocktail recall affects 44,064 cans of canned fruit that may contain elevated levels of lead. Pacific Coast Producers initiated the voluntary recall on October 1, 2026, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified it as Class II on October 20. The affected product is a specific 15-ounce can sold at Walmart stores in seven states. Consumers should check their pantry shelves, compare the product codes, and avoid eating any can that matches the recall details.
The recall does not automatically include every Great Value canned fruit product. It identifies a particular product and production lot, making the label information essential for shoppers. The UPC, lot code, and best-if-used-by date help consumers determine whether they have the affected cans.
The potential presence of lead makes this recall particularly important for households with children and pregnant people. Lead exposure can harm human health, and consumers cannot determine whether a can is safe simply by looking at its contents or packaging.
What Is the Latest Update on the Walmart Fruit Cocktail Recall?
Pacific Coast Producers began the recall on October 1, 2026, after identifying a potential concern involving elevated lead levels in Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate. The FDA subsequently classified the recall as Class II on October 20.
The recall covers 1,836 cases, with 24 cans in each case. That amounts to 44,064 cans of the affected product.
The FDA’s Class II classification indicates that exposure to the recalled product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences. The agency considers the probability of serious adverse health consequences to be remote under this classification.
However, the classification does not mean consumers should continue eating the affected fruit. The product remains subject to the recall, and shoppers should follow the recommended precautions.
As of October 27, 2026, the key information consumers need is the product identification data, the reported distribution area, and the potential lead contamination concern. The available information does not establish that every can contains lead at the same level, nor does it provide a verified concentration for the affected product.
Which Great Value Fruit Cocktail Cans Are Recalled?
Consumers should examine the full product description and compare the identifying codes printed on the can. The brand name alone is not enough to establish whether a product falls within the recall.
The affected product details are:
| Product information | Recall details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Great Value |
| Product | Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate |
| Package size | 15 ounces (425 grams) |
| UPC | 078742369570 |
| Lot code | 6FCB 04 C2263 |
| Best-if-used-by date | September 1, 2027 |
| Manufacturer | Pacific Coast Producers |
| Distributor | Walmart Inc. |
| Recall classification | FDA Class II |
| Total quantity | 44,064 cans |
The lot code and date are especially important because they identify the production batch associated with the recall. The UPC identifies the product type, while the lot code helps distinguish the affected batch from other production runs.
If the can matches the listed product, UPC, lot code, and date, do not eat its contents. If the information is unclear, contact Walmart or a food safety authority for help rather than assuming the product is safe.
Why Was the Great Value Fruit Cocktail Recalled?
The recall concerns potentially elevated levels of lead in the canned fruit. Lead is a toxic metal that can affect the body after exposure. Its effects depend on the amount absorbed, the duration of exposure, and individual circumstances.
Food contamination concerns can be difficult for consumers to identify because lead does not necessarily change a product’s color, smell, flavor, or appearance. A can that looks normal cannot be considered safe based on appearance alone.
The recall identifies a possible contamination risk, not proof that every can contains the same quantity of lead. The available information does not provide a confirmed measurement for the lead concentration in the affected cans.
Consumers should therefore avoid tasting the fruit to assess its safety. They should also avoid serving it to children, adding it to desserts, or using the fruit and juice in other recipes.
The appropriate response is straightforward: identify the product, avoid consuming it if it matches the recall, and follow the retailer’s instructions for handling or returning it.
Which States Received the Recalled Fruit Cocktail?
The affected cans were distributed to Walmart stores in seven states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Louisiana
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
- Wyoming
This distribution information helps shoppers determine whether they may have purchased the recalled product. It does not establish that every Walmart store in these states stocked the affected lot.
Consumers should check their cupboards even if they purchased the can during an earlier shopping trip. Shelf-stable products can remain in household storage for months, and the listed best-if-used-by date extends into 2027.
Shoppers outside the seven states should not assume that every Great Value fruit cocktail product is included in this recall. The available recall details identify a specific product and lot distributed to the listed locations.
Anyone who finds a can with matching identification details should avoid eating it, regardless of where or when the household purchased it.
How to Check Your Pantry for Recalled Fruit Cocktail
A systematic inspection can help households identify the affected product without confusing it with other canned fruit.
First, locate the product. Look for a 15-ounce can labeled Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate.
Next, check the UPC. Compare the barcode number with 078742369570. Make sure every digit matches.
Then, inspect the lot code. Look for 6FCB 04 C2263 on the can. This information helps distinguish the recalled production batch from other lots.
Finally, confirm the date. The affected product carries a best-if-used-by date of September 1, 2027.
If all the details match, do not consume the fruit. Keep the can separate from food that is ready to eat, and contact Walmart to confirm the applicable return or refund process.
If the label is damaged or a code cannot be read, do not rely on an incomplete match. Ask the retailer for assistance in identifying the product.
What Should Consumers Do With the Recalled Cans?
Consumers who find a matching can should stop using it immediately. Do not eat the fruit, drink the juice, or use either ingredient in cooking.
Keep the affected product separate from other food while arranging the next step. If the can remains sealed, avoid opening it simply to inspect the contents.
For return or refund guidance, contact Walmart or the store where the product was purchased. Have the product name, UPC, lot code, and date available so the retailer can identify the item.
If the can has already been opened, do not consume the remaining contents. Clean up any spills carefully and wash your hands afterward. If the can leaks or has damage that makes it difficult to handle safely, seek advice from the retailer or local waste authority.
Consumers should not assume that every store uses the same return procedure. Confirm the applicable instructions before visiting a store, and do not give away a recalled can to someone else.
How Can Lead Exposure Affect Health?
Lead exposure can affect several bodily systems, including the brain, nervous system, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. The potential effects depend on the exposure level, how long exposure continues, and the person’s age and health.
Children face particular risks because their brains and nervous systems are still developing. Lead exposure can affect learning, behavior, growth, and neurological development. Significant exposure may cause lasting harm.
Pregnant people also need to take potential exposure seriously. Lead can cross the placenta and affect fetal development.
Adults can experience health effects as well. Depending on the level and duration of exposure, lead may contribute to kidney problems, high blood pressure, and nervous system effects.
One challenge is that lead exposure may not produce immediate or obvious symptoms. A person who feels well cannot use that fact alone to rule out exposure.
The recall does not establish that everyone who consumed the affected product experienced harm. It identifies a potential risk that warrants precaution and appropriate medical advice.
What If You Have Already Eaten the Recalled Fruit Cocktail?
Anyone who may have eaten fruit cocktail from a can matching the recall should first confirm the product details if the packaging remains available.
Contact a healthcare professional and explain that you may have consumed a product recalled because of potentially elevated lead levels. Share the UPC, lot code, best-if-used-by date, and any information you have about when and how much you ate.
A healthcare professional can determine whether a blood lead test or another assessment is appropriate. Do not attempt to diagnose exposure based on symptoms alone.
If a child consumed the product, contact the child’s pediatrician for guidance. Pregnant people who may have eaten the affected fruit should also seek individualized medical advice.
Avoid unverified detox products or home remedies intended to remove lead from the body. Follow the recommendations of qualified medical professionals.
Consumers can also contact the FDA’s consumer information line at 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) for help finding relevant food safety information. Seek prompt medical attention if severe or urgent symptoms occur.
What Does an FDA Class II Recall Mean?
The FDA uses three main recall classifications to describe the potential health consequences associated with a recalled product.
A Class I recall applies when there is a reasonable probability that using or consuming a product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
A Class II recall applies when exposure may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, or when the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
A Class III recall applies when using or consuming a product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.
The Great Value fruit cocktail recall falls under Class II. This classification communicates the FDA’s assessment of the potential risk, but it does not mean the affected cans are safe to consume.
Consumers should continue to follow the recall precautions even if they have not experienced symptoms or believe they consumed only a small amount.
Does the Recall Affect Every Great Value Canned Fruit Product?
No. The identified recall concerns one specific product: Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate in a 15-ounce can, with the listed UPC, lot code, and best-if-used-by date.
The available information does not establish that all Great Value fruit cocktail products, canned peaches, fruit cups, or other canned fruit varieties are affected.
Shoppers should avoid making assumptions based solely on the brand name. Products from the same brand may have different ingredients, production lots, packaging, and distribution records.
The most reliable approach is to compare the full product details with the recall information. If a product does not match but you remain uncertain, contact Walmart for clarification.
How Can Consumers Follow Further Recall Updates?
Consumers should rely on official product-recall information for any changes to the affected product details or recommended actions. Recall announcements can provide updates about lot codes, distribution, and consumer instructions.
When reviewing an update, verify whether it refers to the same product and production lot. A separate recall involving another food sold at Walmart does not automatically mean it belongs to this event.
Be cautious about social media posts or messages that promise refunds in exchange for personal or financial information. Verify such requests through Walmart’s established customer service channels before sharing sensitive details.
Households can also make product checks part of their normal food storage routine. Reading labels, keeping packaging information when needed, and responding promptly to official recall notices can help consumers manage food safety concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Value fruit cocktail currently recalled?
The identified 15-ounce Great Value Fruit Cocktail in Fruit Juice from Concentrate was recalled because it may contain elevated levels of lead. The affected lot has UPC 078742369570 and lot code 6FCB 04 C2263.
How many cans are affected?
The recall covers 44,064 cans, packaged in 1,836 cases containing 24 cans each.
What is the recalled fruit cocktail’s best-if-used-by date?
The listed date is September 1, 2027. Consumers should also verify the UPC and lot code before determining whether a can matches the recall.
Which states received the affected product?
The cans were distributed to Walmart stores in Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming.
Can I eat the fruit if the can looks normal?
No. Appearance does not establish whether the product is safe. Do not eat a can that matches the recall details.
Does the recall cover every Great Value canned fruit product?
No such blanket recall is established by the available information. The identified recall concerns a specific fruit cocktail product and production lot.
What should I do if I already ate the recalled product?
Contact a healthcare professional for advice. This is particularly important if a child or pregnant person may have consumed the fruit.
Can I return the recalled can to Walmart?
Contact Walmart or the store where you purchased the product to confirm the applicable return or refund process.
Why is the recall classified as Class II?
The FDA uses Class II when a product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, while the probability of serious adverse health consequences is considered remote.
Where can I get help with recall questions?
Consumers can contact Walmart customer service or call the FDA’s consumer information line at 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332).
Final Takeaway
The Walmart Great Value fruit cocktail recall highlights the importance of checking food labels and responding carefully to product safety notices. The affected cans may contain elevated levels of lead, and the recall covers a specific 15-ounce product distributed to seven states.
Consumers should verify the UPC, lot code, and best-if-used-by date, avoid eating any matching product, and contact Walmart about handling or return options. Anyone who may have consumed the recalled fruit should seek appropriate medical guidance.
Have you checked your pantry for the affected fruit cocktail? Share your experience in the comments and keep following verified food safety updates.