FDA Says Orange Juice May Contain Fungicide

The FDA on Monday sent a letter to the entire orange juice industry in which the agency says an anonymous orange juice company last month detected low levels of carbendazim in its juice and in that of a competing orange juice company.

Carbendazim is a type of  fungicide which is most often used to prevent fungi or fungal spores in agriculture.

While fungicide is currently illegal to use in the United States it is still used by other countries that ship large numbers of Oranges into the country, more specifically Brazil.

In order to find the root of the problem the FDA plans to test border shipments into the country.

While the European Union sets carbendazim ceilings at 200 parts per billion the US oranges carry just 35 parts per billion. Because orange juice has so little of the substance the FDA will allow it to remain on the shelf.

According to one FDA officia:

“If the agency identifies orange juice with carbendazim at levels that present a public health risk, it will alert the public and take the necessary action to ensure that the product is removed from the market.”

Are you worried about the presence of yet another chemical in your diet?