Brazil’s orange juice producers, represented by the association Citrus BR, has accepted that the FDA is not going to change testing standards (called “enforcement discretion”) for carbendazim in concentrated orange juice.
Food Poisoning Bulletin reported two weeks ago that consumers do use orange juice in the concentrated form. The FDA refused to test for the fungicide in diluted orange juice concentrate, which Citrus BR had requested.
The agency said that since carbendazim is deliberately applied to the oranges, it won’t test the diluted product. The government tests diluted apple juice for patulin and diluted prune juice for lead because those chemicals occur naturally in the environment.
Citrus BR said that their growers will phase out carbendazim and change policies so their product meets FDA regulations. Carbendazim is not approved for use on orange trees in this country.
Still, the Juice Products Association, the United States organization, said, “We are disappointed that the FDA will not evaluate imports on an “as consumed” basis, which is a more logical and practical way to assume safety for the consumer.”
