FDA’s Bizarre Orange Recall Sparks National Curiosity—What Are They Really Up To?

Have you ever wondered what lengths the FDA would go to just to prove a point? One minute you’re munching on a navel orange, the next minute – boom! – it’s being yanked from your grasp, all so a federal spokesperson can dazzle the crowd with their arguably rusty juggling skills. It’s a bizarre image: America’s top scientists sweating over three pristine oranges, a press room filled with anticipation, and the threat of a rogue citrus fruit rolling under a podium . Sometimes I wonder if the real reason for these recalls is less about food safety and more about showing off hidden circus talents. Curious how this orange juggling saga got started—and which fruit was the real star? LEARN MORE.

SILVER SPRING, MD—Issuing a public warning for Americans to watch or they might miss out, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reportedly recalled three navel oranges Wednesday to prove that they could juggle. “Toss ’em here,” said spokesperson John Lavietes, adding that American consumers who had recently purchased navel, Valencia, or blood oranges should not consume the citrus fruits but instead bring three of them to the nearest FDA office so the federal agency could show them something. “It’s been a while, but we can definitely do it. Organic, GMO, even a mandarin or tangelo should be brought to this lectern immediately. Come on, any region or distributor works. They have to be firm, though. If they’re not firm, we can’t do it.” At press time, the FDA had recalled one more orange to replace the one that had rolled under the table.