In Australia, in January 2010 a review of Maximum Residue Limits by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority resulted in a ban on the use of the fungicide carbendazim for all citrus fruits. Studies found high levels of carbendazim caused male infertility. The APVMA later completed a review of the use of carbendazim and removed use on additional crops and turf.
When an American orange juice manufacturer suspected quality issues with imported Brazilian orange juice in December, 2011 and reported the details to the US Food and Drug Administration, it was discovered the orange juice contained the banned fungicide, carbendazim. Although detected at 35 parts per billion (ppb) the US FDA increased monitoring because American standards were set at 0 ppb.
In 2012 FDA testing of orange juice imports found levels of carbendazim from less than 10 ppb to as high as 133 ppb with product containing levels of less than 10 ppb being released. Whilst domestic orange juice testing revealed products to contain up to 36 ppb, the FDA sent a letter to the Juice Products Association stating that it did not intend to take action to remove from domestic commerce orange juice containing the reported low levels of carbendazim.
www.farmweekly – Carbendazim Scare in Brazilian Orange Juice