The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule to amend the over 60-year-old Standard of Identity for pasteurized orange juice by reducing the minimum required sugar content. The proposed change would lower the Brix requirement, a measure of dissolved sugar content in liquids, from 10.5 to 10.
According to the FDA, this adjustment would better align the standard with the natural Brix levels of current U.S. orange crops. The proposal follows a July 2022 petition from the Florida Citrus Processors Association and Florida Citrus Mutual, which cited the impact of citrus greening disease (huanglongbing) and severe weather on Florida's orange production. These factors have reduced yields and lowered sugar content, making it harder for growers to meet the existing standard without blending in higher-Brix imported juice.
The agency noted that the Brix level for Florida oranges has been declining for decades. The petition stated that "the FDA's pasteurized orange juice standard of identity, when originally promulgated in 1963, was carefully constructed to reflect the qualities of U.S. oranges. It should now be updated to align with the properties of the modern U.S. crop." Without changes, more imported juice would be required to meet the current threshold.
The proposed rule is expected to reduce reliance on imported oranges for "not from concentrate" juice and could save manufacturers over US$50 million annually. The FDA stated that the change is "unlikely to affect the taste of orange juice and will have minimum impact on the nutrients found in orange juice."
The adjustment comes amid long-standing production challenges for U.S. citrus growers. Florida's industry has been affected by hurricanes, disease pressure, and regulatory requirements. The decline in Brix levels has made compliance increasingly difficult, leading some producers to source juice internationally.
Industry groups, including Florida Citrus Mutual and the Florida Farm Bureau, expressed support for the proposal, citing its potential to improve domestic supply chain resilience. California and Texas citrus organizations also voiced approval, noting that the change could strengthen the national citrus sector's competitiveness.
According to the FDA, the proposal is part of a wider review of more than 250 Standards of Identity to ensure regulations remain relevant to current agricultural conditions and consumer needs.
The public consultation period will allow stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed rule. If implemented, the updated standard would apply to all pasteurized orange juice sold in the United States.
