Australian juice companies are continuing to use oranges from Brazil that may contain residues of the potentially harmful fungicide carbendazim, despite the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) temporarily banning Brazilian orange imports due to health concerns. Carbendazim is used to control plant diseases in cereals and fruit, including citrus, bananas, strawberries, pineapples. Studies have found that high doses of carbendazim cause infertility and destroy the testicles of laboratory animals.... ...Read more »

The European Union has thrown its weight behind a ban on international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna. Member states have agreed to back a ban during next week’s meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), a spokesperson for the EU confirmed yesterday (11 March). “Europe will support a ban on the trade of bluefin tuna until stocks recover,” the spokesperson said. However, the EU is also backing exemptions for traditional fishermen and will call... ...Read more »

The proposal by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to ban duty-free alcohol globally has now been removed. Lobbyists from the European Retail Council (ETRC) and other travel-retail organisations and associated companies have worked hard for six weeks following the release of the proposal in early December. ETRC secretary general Keith Spinks is pleased with the result, after intensive talks with government representatives from all over the world. “Our message was clear-duty-free is not part... ...Read more »

A temporary ban on Australian mangoes from Japan has been lifted a week after it was first enforced after unidentified insect larvae were discovered in a mango at a south-east Queensland export facility.The south-east facility remains closed, however, with investigations ongoing into the cause of the system breakdown. “It’s relieving that the market has been reopened,” Mareeba Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association president Joe Moro told the ABC. “I think the growers of... ...Read more »

Unidentified insect larvae discovered in a mango at a south-east Queensland export facility has seen Japan enforce a temporary ban on Australian mangoes. Bruce Nastasi, a far north Queensland grower and exporter, told the ABC the ban could last for up to 20 days while inspectors wait for the larvae to hatch, with operations then continuing as normal. “If it’s shown to be fruit fly, that’s the fruit fly that our facilities are registered for,” he said. “I can’t... ...Read more »

The bottled water industry is expected to come under heightened scrutiny following the decision by the NSW Government to place a ban on all agencies and departments buying bottled water. And Federal Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, has shown support for the move. Mr Garrett told ABC radio today that other states should consider following the lead of New South Wales. “I think it’s worth looking at,” he said. “Quite clearly we’re having a really important, pretty healthy... ...Read more »

The Venezuelan Government has enforced a ban on Coca-Cola Zero products due to unspecified health concerns. The Coca-Cola Company maintains the drink is safe but has complied with the Government’s request to halt production just two months after it first went on sale in the South American country. Coca-Cola remains in discussions with Venezuela over the prospect of overturning the ban and said they were not informed of any specific concerns the Government may have with the drink or the American... ...Read more »

Jordan is the second country after Germany to ban Red Bull Cola. The Food and Drug Administration in Jordan (JFDA) has suspended the import of Red Bull Cola and ordered the withdrawal of all products from the market. Mohammed Rawashdeh, Director of JFDA said this decision follows after food authorities in Germany found trace amounts of cocaine in the product, causing six states to ban the product from their shelves. “Whenever we receive reports from any country regarding the withdrawal of a... ...Read more »

France has ended a twelve year ban on the sale of the Red Bull energy drink in its original formula. Until now, the Austrian company was required to sell the drink in France without Taurine, one of the key ingredients. The EU forced the French Government’s hand, claiming that, in the absence of any conclusive evidence that the drink is harmful, it should be allowed to be sold. Any product made or sold in the EU cannot be banned unless there is reputable evidence of a health risk. The French... ...Read more »