Research Planned on OJ Health Benefits

Ernie NeffOrange Juice, Research

Rosa Walsh, director of scientific research at the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC), told the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) in June about the 2020-21 FDOC research plan. The plan includes two scientific research projects exploring health benefits of 100% orange juice (OJ). The projects, beginning in the new fiscal year, look at determining quantitative analysis of nutrient density in OJ …

Study: Beverage Labels Confuse Parents

Ernie NeffFlorida Department of Citrus, Orange Juice, Research

Beverage labeling regulations appear to fall short of helping parents identify the ingredients of drinks they purchase for their children, a recent study published in Pediatric Obesity suggests. This has researchers calling for changes to labeling regulations to increase transparency and help consumers choose healthier beverages. The online study included more than 1,600 parents who had healthy 1- to 5-year-old …

Uncle Matt’s Launches Ultimate Shots

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

Uncle Matt’s Organic recently announced the launch of its Ultimate Shots line. Ultimate Shots are intended to aid specific functions such as immune support, digestion and energy. The shots are now available online and will be rolling out to select retailers nationwide over the next few months. The Ultimate Shots come from 100% organically grown fruit. The juice is blended with …

orange juice

Suspension of OJ Brix Level Sought

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

For most months during the 2020-21 Florida citrus season, oranges did not meet the federal minimum standard of 10.5 degrees Brix for not-from-concentrate orange juice (OJ). According to a slide shown during Florida Citrus Mutual’s recent annual meeting, the average Brix level for oranges during the season was 10.45. Brix is a measure of the sugar content of juice. Consequently, …

marketing program

How OJ Sales Boomed in the Pandemic

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

The boom in OJ (orange juice) sales during the COVID-19 pandemic was highlighted during Marisa Zansler’s report to the Florida Citrus Commission in May. Zansler is the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) director of economic and market research.   Prior to the pandemic, orange juice sales had decreased annually by an average of 5.5.% each year, Zansler reported. She noted …

New Use for Orange Extract

Ernie NeffOrange Juice, Technology

An extract from orange juice production is offering an eco-friendly way for developing transparent wood, an innovative structural material for building construction. Since it was first introduced in 2016, transparent wood has been developed by researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. The wood lets natural light through and can store thermal energy.    The key to making …

Promoting Orange Juice for Hydration

Tacy CalliesOrange Juice

It may not officially be summer yet, but with temperatures heating up, Steve Johnson, chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission, has a reminder about the value of drinking orange juice (OJ) for hydration. “A glass of orange juice is a great hydration option in addition to water since it naturally contains a high percentage of water — almost 90%, says …

Peace River Growers Celebrate OJ Day

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

More than 40 growers, product representatives and others celebrated National OJ Day May 4 at grower Kenny Sanders’ grove near Wauchula, Florida. The occasion was the Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association (PRVCGA) spring roundtable luncheon, which featured a panel of growers discussing current citrus issues. The event was one of the first in-person grower gatherings for the Florida citrus …

sales

Celebrate National OJ Day

Tacy CalliesOrange Juice

Today, May 4, is National OJ Day. It is the ideal opportunity to promote the many wonderful attributes of orange juice. Social media is a great place to boast about the benefits of orange juice. Consider posting about OJ today on social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. Post a …

OJ Not Associated With Weight Gain in Children

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

New research shows no adverse association between change in body mass index (BMI) and consumption of 100% orange juice (OJ) among older children. The four-year study published in Pediatric Obesity found that drinking 100% OJ was associated with smaller changes in BMI over time in girls, with no significant effect on BMI in boys. The analysis by researchers at the University of …

marketing program

OJ Sales and Marketing Updates

Ernie NeffMarketing, Orange Juice

The Florida Citrus Commission in March received updates on recent orange juice (OJ) sales and Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) marketing efforts. Marisa Zansler, director of the FDOC Economic and Market Research Department, presented the sales data. The FDOC Nielsen retail sales report showed year-over-year not-from-concentrate (NFC) OJ sales increased by 13.9% while reconstituted OJ sales increased by 5%. Average …

OJ Could Address Fruit Shortfall in Adult Diets

Ernie NeffOrange Juice, Research

While whole fruit consumption increased in adults between 2003 and 2016, the intake of several key nutrients decreased over time, a new study shows. Adding 100% orange juice (OJ) to the diet could help address this shortfall and bolster intake of other key nutrients found in OJ. A cross sectional analysis using the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination …

OJ: 5 Contributions to Good Health

Ernie NeffOrange Juice, Research

At the March Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) meeting, Gail Rampersaud summarized recently published studies showing that orange juice (OJ) contributes to good health. Rampersaud, a registered dietitian nutritionist, told the FCC, which governs the Florida Department of Citrus, about five ways the studies showed OJ is beneficial: Body Weight: Research shows that 100% OJ or fruit juice consumption is not …

OJ Sales One Year into the Pandemic

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson recently discussed the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on sales of Florida orange juice (OJ).   “We witnessed sales (of OJ) soar in the initial weeks (of the pandemic) as consumers stockpiled their pantries with kitchen staples and sought out healthy foods and beverages that provide immune support,” Johnson reported in an email to members of …

orange juice

Decline in 100% Fruit Juice Consumption

Ernie NeffOrange Juice

A new research report shows that Americans continue to consume fewer fruits and vegetables despite consistent dietary advice to the contrary. An accompanying decline in the consumption of 100% fruit juice, such as orange juice (OJ), is likely a significant contributor to the issue. The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) reported in its “State of the Plate: America’s Fruit …

Influencers Push OJ Sales

Ernie NeffMarketing, Orange Juice

In a recent message to members of the Florida citrus industry, Florida Citrus Commission Chairman Steve Johnson focused on the role of social media influencers in promoting Florida orange juice. Johnson stated that partnerships with influencers on social media and in traditional media comprise what he called “a critical component” of the Florida Department of Citrus’ (FDOC) e-commerce marketing campaign. …

Global OJ Production to Exceed Consumption

Ashley RobinsonOrange Juice

Global orange juice (OJ) production for 2020-21 is forecast 17 percent higher to 1.8 million tons. Production in Brazil and Mexico more than offsets the drop in the United States. However, global production continues its general long-term decline, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. Similarly, consumption is projected to continue its long-term decline, although exports are …

Update on Florida OJ Supply and Demand

Tacy CalliesOrange Juice

In the Feb. 3 Florida Citrus Commission meeting, Marisa Zansler, Florida Department of Citrus director of economic and market research, provided an update on Florida orange juice (OJ) movement and availability. External trends, such as fruit drop and increased demand during the pandemic, may significantly impact the availability of orange juice throughout the season. Coming into the 2020–21 season, beginning …

china

Production of OJ to Climb in Europe

Ernie NeffInternational, Orange Juice

European Union (EU) orange juice (OJ) production is forecast to climb almost 8 percent in 2020-21 compared to the previous year, to 87,987 metric tons, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reported. The forecast is in line with the expected growth in the volume of European oranges destined for processing this season, especially from Spain and Italy. …

fresh

Research Projects on OJ Recommended for Approval

Tacy CalliesOrange Juice, Research

The Scientific Research Advisory Committee met Jan. 21 to review recent updates from the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) and to review and recommend to the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) for approval two new research proposals. The FCC serves as the FDOC’s governing board. Rosa Walsh, director of the FDOC Scientific Research Department, gave an update on the 2020–2025 Dietary …