FDA Update on Testing for Carbendazim in Imported Orange Juice Products

According to a Feb. 9 update from FDA, the agency is continuing to ensure that orange juice in the United States does not pose a safety concern due to the presence of carbendazim residues. Carbendazim is a pesticide that is not legal for use on oranges in the United States. FDA is testing samples of orange juice shipments from all countries and manufacturers that offer such shipments for import into the U.S., as well as imported and finished product at domestic manufacturers. Based on all FDA results to date, the agency said it remains confident that orange juice in the U.S. may be consumed without concerns about its safety due to the possible presence of such residues.

Sampling of imported juice from domestic manufacturers has concluded with the February 2 update, in which FDA collected a total of 14 samples in January from major orange juice manufacturers with facilities in Florida that had orange juice or concentrate from Brazil. Of the 14 samples, five had no measurable level of carbendazim (below 10 parts per billion); the remaining 9 results ranged from 13 ppb – 36 ppb. EPA has determined that any level of carbendazim in orange juice below 80 ppb does not pose a health risk. Based on these results, FDA determined that no action is needed to remove product from the market and that the orange juice consumed by the public does not pose safety concerns due to the low levels of carbendazim residues found in FDA testing. 

• Carbendazim in Orange Juice Products Main Page
• Chart of FDA Sampling of Imported Products for Carbendazim
• Import Alert 99-08