U.S. representatives from Florida have reintroduced legislation to have the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alter the Brix standard in not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10%. The Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act was reintroduced by Reps. Scott Franklin and Debbie Wasserman Schultz and is cosponsored by the entire Florida congressional delegation.
Currently, oranges below the 10.5% Brix standard cannot be used for not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice. The change has been requested because many Florida oranges no longer produce juice that meets the 10.5% Brix requirement. Fine-tuning the requirement will better reflect the natural makeup of today’s crop, which has been affected by disastrous major hurricane seasons, citrus greening and other adverse factors, Franklin’s office stated.
In 2022, the Florida Citrus Processors Association and Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) filed a citizen petition requesting the FDA revise its Brix requirements for pasteurized orange juice.
Franklin and Wasserman Schultz first introduced their Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act in 2023. The bill was the subject of an Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing last September. At that hearing, Florida lawmakers further urged the FDA to move quickly to help alleviate the burden on citrus growers.
“Outdated standards and needless red tape are standing in the way of Florida citrus’ big comeback,” said Franklin. “While slow-moving FDA bureaucrats take years to deliberate a small regulatory adjustment, our growers are losing out on profit to foreign producers and struggling to keep their operations afloat. This simple fix throws them a lifeline, allowing more domestic product to come to market without sacrificing quality for consumers.”
“This legislation is a critical step in helping growers continue to meet consumer preference, compete in the marketplace and support the domestic supply of orange juice,” said FCM Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Matt Joyner.
The legislation was also introduced in the U.S. Senate in 2022. Learn more here.
Source: U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin
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