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FDA halts orange juice imports over fungicide concern

The Food and Drug Administration has clarified information regarding detectable levels of the fungicide, carbendazim(AgroNews:2012-01-11).

Although the Environmental Protection Agency has no safety concerns about carbendazim levels up to 80 parts per billion, the FDA is not using that as a standard for taking action, said FDA spokeswoman Siobhan DeLancey. "We are saying that if we find any juice that presents a safety hazard, we'll take steps to remove it from the market," she said.DeLancey added that the agency had not yet determined what level of carbendazim would result in a recall.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it has halted all imported orange juice and will destroy or ban foreign shipments if an unapproved fungicide is detected.Late last month, the FDA reported that trace amounts of the fungicide carbendazim had been found in orange juice products that contained juice from Brazil, which has approved the chemical. Though approved and used as a fungicide on apples and other produce, carbendazim is not approved for use on citrus in the United States.

Carbendazim is used to combat the black spot fungus, which makes fruits less visually appealing to consumers but does not affect taste or crop yields. Brazil produces almost one in every six glasses of orange juice consumed in the United States, according to industry figures cited by Bloomberg News.

Earlier this week, the agency said it had increased testing for carbendazim, which has been linked to a higher risk of liver tumors in animals. Initial results are expected later this week.

If any retail orange juice tests at 80 parts per billion or higher, the FDA "will take steps for its removal from the market," said agency spokeswoman Siobhan DeLancey.