Bartow, Fla. – Florida’s citrus growers and processors are celebrating the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) publication today of a proposed rule to update the standard of identity for orange juice. Pending a final proposed rule, modernizing this regulation would reduce the minimum Brix levels, a measure of sugar content, from 10.5% to 10% to better align with today’s orange crop. Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) and the Florida Citrus Processors Association (FCPA) initially petitioned the FDA to update the standard of identity for orange juice to reflect today’s Brix levels.
In response to the publication of the proposed rule in the Federal Register, FCM and FCPA issued the following statements:
“Florida’s citrus industry and its champions have tirelessly advocated for more than three years to modernize this Brix standard, and we applaud the FDA for
moving it forward,” said Kevin Koppelman, president of Florida Citrus Mutual. “Revising this regulation ensures we can maximize the state’s orange supply. We are grateful to the Trump administration and our industry’s champions, including Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott and Representatives Scott Franklin, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Kat Cammack, Darren Soto and Mario Diaz-Balart and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson for their steadfast support.”
“The FDA’s proposed rule to modernize the standard of identity for orange juice is a major win for Florida citrus growers,” said Matt Joyner, executive vice
president and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “Our state’s growers have endured more than two decades of challenges from citrus greening, and back-to-back hurricanes and freezes. Modernizing this regulation gives growers the flexibility to bring more Florida-grown oranges to the orange juice market and ensure families worldwide can enjoy nutrient-dense and high-quality Florida orange juice.”
“The Florida Citrus Processors Association (FCPA) is grateful to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Trump administration for the proposed changes to the orange juice standard of identity,” said Robin Bryant, Executive Director of the Florida Citrus Processors Association. “Changing the minimum Brix level for orange juice will modernize the standard to more accurately reflect the naturally occurring levels of the Florida oranges. This will allow our juice processors to more fully utilize the Florida orange crop and support the Florida citrus grower.”
Due to tree stress and damage caused by weather and disease pressures, particularly HLB, also known as citrus greening disease, the average Brix of Florida’s oranges has declined over the last decade. Despite the challenges that Florida’s citrus industry has faced with hurricanes, freezes and the impacts of citrus greening, it remains an iconic symbol of the Sunshine State and a strong contributor to its economy. The industry generates an annual economic impact of $6.9 billion and supports more than 32,000 jobs. Floridians rely on this industry to support our food supply, national security, green spaces and local jobs.
View the FDA’s proposed rule 21 CFR Part 146 to update the standard of identity for Florida orange juice.
Provided by Florida Citrus Mutual