Carbendazim Testing in Juice Products
Sampling and Testing Capabilities in the US and Brazil

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has recently issued an alert regarding the presence on the fungicide Carbendazim in orange juice products1,2 (January 2012). This alert came after orange juice products from Brazil were found to contain up to 35 parts per billion (ppb) of Carbendazim, which is not approved for use on oranges in the US.

Carbendazim is a fungicide used worldwide and belongs to the class of chemicals called benzimidazoles. Carbendazim is also a metabolite of benomyl that is applied for plant protection as well. Currently, there is no legal MRL for Carbendazim in the US. In Europe, the current maximum residue level in oranges is 200 ppb3.

Currently, incoming shipments of ready to serve juices and juice concentrate products are subject to sampling and testing by the FDA1. FDA laboratories are able to quantify Carbendazim at 10 ppb or greater; imported juice containing levels of Carbendazim at or above
10 ppb may be refused at the border.

With its state-of-the-art technology and experienced staff Eurofins Scientific can offer quick, accurate and reliable testing for Carbendazim both in the US and in Brazil. Additionally, Eurofins do Brasil Análises de Alimentos in São Paulo, Brazil, can offer sampling services in the major Brazil ports of Santos Harbor and Paranagua Harbor as well as testing for Carbendazim. Eurofins Central Analytical Labs in Louisiana, USA can offer testing within the United States.

Eurofins labs in Brazil and USA are accredited under ISO 17025 for Carbendazim testing, utilizing triple-quadrupole Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This technology enables Eurofins to quantify and confirm Carbendazim at a level
as low as 5ppb with a standard turn-around time of 5 working days and a “rush service” of 48 hours.

For further information about Eurofins Carbendazim sampling and testing services, Contact Us.