FDA clears more orange juice imports

Health regulators cleared more orange juice imports from five countries after testing for the fungicide carbendazim, but made no mention of samples from top grower Brazil, which accounts for half of U.S. juice imports.

The Food and Drug Administration said 19 of the 45 samples it had taken since testing began on January 4 were safe, but the remainder were "pending analysis and/or are under compliance review." A spokeswoman declined to specify where those samples originated, but traders said they feared many may be from Brazil, where carbendazim is widely used.

"It's quite possible that they are from Brazil, and investors are concerned about the idea that the samples will continue to be looked at and not released," said Sterling Smith, senior market analyst at Country Hedging Inc in St. Paul, Minnesota.

New York orange juice futures surged their daily limit of 10 cents to more than $2 per pound prior to the FDA announcement, within a whisker of last week's record high. Options market prices indicated a price of nearly $2.14, Smith said, which would be a new all-time high.

The fungicide scare flared last week after the FDA announced that a company - later identified as Coca-Cola Co. - had reported finding carbendazim in juice samples from the South American country.

The agency said it would begin testing imports for the fungicide and would reject shipments in excess of its 10 parts per billion (ppb) detectable limit. The Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates fungicides, considers carbendazim to be a health risk at more than several thousand parts per billion.

Orange Juice Health Benefits

1. Drinking a glass of orange juice a day can keep the doctor away. Orange juice is known to contain a high percentage of Vitamin C, which is helpful in boosting the immune system. So, you will be less likely to catch various illnesses, such as colds or the flu.

2. Various medical studies show that orange juice may help lower both cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels, which are two very common problems among middle aged men and women.

3. Orange juice is thought to be very high in antioxidants. What this means is that this yummy juice may help prevent various forms of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer.
4. Fairly large amounts of potassium, which is an essential nutrient for the body, can be found in orange juice.

5. Studies have shown that orange juice can help reduce the risk of heart disease, which is because it can help improve circulation.

6. Orange juice contains Folate, which plays a major role in the reproduction of new cells and can help with the healing process.

7. Research has shown that orange juice has anti-inflammatory properties. If you experience a lot of arthritis-related pain, orange juice may really help relieve it.