Like the Florida citrus industry, California Citrus Mutual (CCM) welcomed the recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) update of the federal standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice (OJ). The action marks the first significant revision to the standard in more than 60 years and takes effect Aug. 19.
The FDA reviewed consumer sensory data during its rulemaking process and concluded that the change will not alter how consumers perceive OJ. The agency found the update preserves the taste and quality consumers expect while giving domestic producers greater flexibility and reducing reliance on imported juice.
While Florida praised the lowering of the Brix standard, California celebrated FDA’s decision to allow OJ to contain up to 15% juice from mandarins and mandarin hybrids.
According to CCM, the change is expected to create new opportunities for California growers, who produce large volumes of mandarins and mandarin hybrids.
“California is predominantly a fresh-market supplier, and the higher blending allowance opens a stronger processing outlet for fruit that does not reach the fresh market,” CCM stated. “Mandarins have become an increasingly important part of California’s citrus production.”
“The California citrus industry thanks the FDA for updating the orange juice standard and allowing the blending of complementary citrus varieties,” said Jacob Villagomez, CCM director of governmental affairs. “This decision supports domestic juice production, reduces reliance on imports and ensures consumers continue receiving the quality and flavor they expect.”
In addition to allowing 15% juice from mandarins or mandarin hybrids in pasteurized OJ, the FDA change lowers the minimum pasteurized OJ Brix requirement from 10.5% to 10%.
“Together, the changes bring the decades-old standard in line with today’s citrus industry and strengthen the domestic juice supply,” CCM stated.
CCM reported that it supported the update through the FDA’s public rulemaking process, submitting comments in favor of the change and working with members of Congress to advance it. The association noted that the petitions that prompted the rule were led by Florida’s citrus industry.
Source: CCM
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