Federal officials on July 17 announced a regulatory change lowering the minimum Brix requirement for pasteurized orange juice (OJ) from 10.5% to 10%. The final Food and Drug Administration rule making the change was to be published and take effect July 20. Florida Citrus Processors Association and Florida Citrus Mutual (FCM) first petitioned for the change in June 2022.
The rule also permits up to 15% Citrus reticulata juice or Citrus reticulata hybrid juice, by volume, in pasteurized OJ.
The announcement was made in Lakeland, Florida, by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas.
According to the FDA, comments supporting the rule change noted that agricultural challenges including HLB (also known as citrus greening) and severe weather events have contributed to declining Brix levels in domestic oranges.
FCM President Kevin KIoppelman declared the rule change was “especially significant for growers as challenges from freezes, hurricanes and citrus greening have naturally changed Florida’s citrus crop since the regulation was initially set in 1963.”
“Florida’s citrus growers have advocated for years to modernize the standard of identity for orange juice,” added FCM Executive Vice President and CEO Matt Joyner. “This regulatory change is a win-win, helping growers bring more fruit to market and ensuring consumers can reap the benefits of nutrient-rich Florida oranges and orange juice.”
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) stated that the rule change will allow more Florida oranges to qualify for pasteurized OJ while reducing the need for imported higher-Brix juice to meet the previous federal requirement. The FDOC added that the new rule will not change the taste, quality, safety or nutritional value of 100% OJ.
“This decision will strengthen the future of Florida citrus … while ensuring consumers continue to enjoy the same high-quality and nutritious 100% orange juice they know and love,” said FDOC Executive Director Shannon Shepp.
“Today’s announcement means we can make better use of the oranges my family works so hard to grow,” said Daniel Hunt, a member of the Florida Citrus Commission and president of Hunt Bros. Coop.
In response to industry requests, FDA in 2025 proposed reducing the minimum Brix level in pasteurized OJ. Learn more about that proposal and the history of the requests here.
Source: FCM, FDOC and FDA
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