Samples of Keurig Dr Pepper's Peñafiel bottled water had an alarming 70 percent more arsenic than the EPA allows. The water is on import watch in the US, but Consumer Reports was able to purchase it easily
Bottled water made by food and beverage giants Dr Pepper and Whole Foods is being pulled from stores after a report found dangerous levels of toxic arsenic.
A Consumer Reports investigation, published in April, found the company's Peñafiel water contains 70 percent more arsenic than US standards permit, after scrutinizing an internal report from Keurig Dr Pepper.
Though one bottle alone would not be fatal or critically toxic to humans, Consumer Reports warned, arsenic can build up in the body over time and cause cancer and diabetes.
On Friday, the bottles sold in stores including Target and Walmart were pulled nationwide, according to a statement from the company.
In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers anything under 10 ppb to be safe.
But in tests of 130 different brands of bottled water, the new report found that 11 had detectable amounts of the heavy metal.
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that often contaminates ground water in many countries including the US.
In a single, high dose, the substance can be fatally toxic.
But long-term exposure to lower levels can cause skin lesions, and may cause skin, bladder and lung cancers, as well as raising risks of diabetes,
