The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) released a letter to orange juice processing companies regarding their take on the recent discovery of carbendazim in orange juice. Carbendazim, molecular formula C9H9N3O2, is a fungicide (chemical that destroy fungi that are harmful to crops).
This particular fungicide, carbendazim, has been cleared to be used on crops in most parts of the world. However, in the United States, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has not approved its use on oranges. Therefore, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, it is against the law to spray carbendazim on orange crops.
It has recently become known to the FDA that an orange juice company found minute traces of carbendazim in its juice, and also in orange juice of some other companies. The fungicide appears to have been identified in some other orange juice produce, which has not yet hit the shelves.
According to recent findings, the carbendazim that was discovered in juice products comes from Brazilian crops. Currently, carbendazim is not banned in Brazil – it is legal under their laws, because they use the fungicide to protect their crops from black spot (a fungi that is found on orange trees).
After some first round testing, the EPA has determined that carbendazim in small amounts does not pose a health risk to those who have consumed the orange juice, and the FDA does not plan on taking any drastic measures to rid stores of the juice. However, the FDA will soon be carrying out its own tests, and if it is shown that there is any risk, immediate action will be taken to protect the health of the public.
In addition, the Agency will be screening imported shipments of orange juice and will not allow sales of any that test positive.
Orange juice prices globally have hit record highs for two reasons: the fungicide concern, plus a recent bout of unusually cold weather in Florida. Brazil is the world’s largest orange juice producer, followed by Florida.
Written by Christine Kearney