More Information About FDA-Detained Imported Orange Juice

After finding traces of an illegal fungicide in imported orange juice at the borders, the Food and Drug Administration has stopped several shipments of orange juice. However, the government says the juice is safe to drink.

Carbendazim, a fungicide used to combat mold on orange trees in Brazil, has been found at low levels in some orange juice products. The FDA detailed about 11 percent of orange juice since it started testing for the fungicide earlier this month.

The FDA outlined its actions, including testing domestic orange juice and sampling imported shipments, and earlier this month, FDA official Nega Beru said, "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."

Any disruption of juice imports from Brazil would affect brands such as PepsiCo's Tropicana and Coca-Cola's Minute Maid.

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