"Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed."
- USDA's MyPlate Food Guidance System
Answers to Your Questions About Orange Juice
Is orange juice safe?
Yes. Orange juice is safe and consumers have no need for concern. As a precautionary measure, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is testing all incoming shipments of imported orange juice for the presence of carbendazim. The FDA is doing so because a U.S. juice company alerted the agency that the company’s own testing had detected trace levels of carbendazim in orange juice from Brazil and FDA now wants to determine that levels in imported orange juice do not exceed these trace levels.
What exactly is carbendazim, and is it harmful?
Carbendazim is a component of a fungicide that is registered with the EPA for use on food crops in the U.S. While not currently registered for use on citrus in the U.S, a fungicide with carbendazim was registered for use on oranges in the U.S. from 2002 through 2008 but according to the manufacturer, for economic reasons they chose not to renew the registration. It is important to note that trace amounts of a crop protection product are not necessarily cause for concern because regulatory bodies establish allowable levels that are judged to be safe after a rigorous review and risk assessment process. EPA has stated that the levels detected in orange juice pose no health risk.
If there is no safety concern, why is the FDA testing imports?
As a precautionary measure, the FDA is testing imported orange juice from all countries before it enters the U.S. To err on the side of safety, the FDA said it will not allow the importation of any orange juice that tests at 10 ppb or higher for carbendazim. This is a level consistent with established acceptable limits for carbendazim on other food products. FDA is also testing product at juice processing plants. Any finished product that tests at 80 ppb or higher will not be permitted to go to market. Both of these amounts are very low levels; in fact, they are way below allowable limits set by international authorities such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission established by World Health Organization and Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.
How was the presence of carbendazim initially detected?
Carbendazim was found by a juice producer during its own testing and was reported to the FDA.
Did any product with the carbendazim make it to retailers or consumers?
According to the FDA, some orange juice with very low levels of carbendazim did get to market, but FDA emphasizes that juice is safe. The FDA reported that, “EPA has concluded that consumption of orange juice with carbendazim at the low levels that have been reported does not raise safety concerns. FDA does not intend to take action to remove from domestic commerce orange juice containing the reported low levels of carbendazim.”
What do the U.S. companies do when they find it? Do the U.S. manufacturers have a level of tolerance?
When juice producers detect carbendazim during testing, they report it to the FDA. Products that tests at 80 ppb or higher for carbendazim will not be sent to market.
Is carbendazim registered for food use in the U.S.?
Carbendazim is a component of a fungicide that is registered with the EPA for use on food crops in the U.S. While not currently registered for use on citrus in the U.S, a fungicide with carbendazim was registered for use on oranges in the U.S. from 2002 through 2008 but according to the manufacturer, for economic reasons they chose not to renew the registration.
Should consumers be concerned?
No. Both the FDA and EPA have stated that consumption of orange juice with carbendazim at the low levels that have been reported is not a safety concern. The food supply in the U.S. is one of the most tightly monitored and regulated in the world. Consumers can be assured that juice producers and regulatory authorities are committed to maintaining the safety of juice and other foods in America.
