Public Health: USA - Unauthorised fungicide found in orange juice
What happens when what is permitted in the country of production is not permitted in the country of consumption? That's what the USA's FDA says has happened and it is investigating. But it raises a deeper question: what is a matter of public safety and what is a matter of trade barriers?
Most Recent - This Section
Public Health: US Gov warns against fad of "pox parties."Healthcare: Rhode Island Hospital ordered unecessary overnight stays, claimed fees
Public Health: USA - Unauthorised fungicide found in orange juice
Public Health: Now Germany recommends removal of PIP breast implants
PublicHealth: Chocoate is as good as exercise - not
Most Recent - Whole Site
The Legal Professional: England's Law Society takes on HSBCPublic Health: US Gov warns against fad of "pox parties."
F1: Caterham in surprise driver announcement
Aviation: Qantas to cut routes, dump B747s, reduce headcount
F1: Aaaaaannnnndddd........ We're back
Most Recent - BankingInsuranceSecurities.Com
FI Frauds: Phishing ANZSanctions: OFAC Update 20120216
AML/CFT: FATF tidies up the 40 Recommendations and plugs obvious holes
FI Frauds: Phishing - Halifax, UK
AML / CFT: former cop found with more than USD1m in cash in the boot of his car
As of last night, the FDA had not issued a recall or safety alert relating to orange juice made from product imported from Brazil but it has made it known that "a company" has alerted it to the presence of a small amount of carbendazim in product that has reached the shelves.
But, it is reported in US media that three shipments of juice from Brazil tested since the discovery of the traces revealed no presence.
Carbendazim is legal in Brazil to combat certain fungal infections. Although not banned in the US, it is not "authorised" for use on food crops.
At the low levels found in the juices, it is considered that there is no potential for harm to humans: in large doses, however, it can prove harmful.
The case raises a complex issue of supply chain management. The Brazilian growers have done nothing wrong in relation to their own domestic law, practice and land management. But the importers of their product are clearly required to refer to US law when specifying supplies.
It's ironic that, when other countries say they will not import US meat products due to the use of growth hormones, the effect of which on humans remains open to question, the US sees that as a barrier to trade.
But when it comes to importing product into the US, then US requirements are paramount.
Download PDF version of this page
