In a major policy shift to support American citrus growers, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, MD, MPH, and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins have announced a proposed rule to update the standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice. This move would end a 60-year-old regulation that many say disadvantages domestic producers and fuels dependency on foreign imports.
The proposed rule, unveiled this week, seeks to lower the required Brix level in pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10%, better reflecting the natural sugar content of oranges grown in the United States.
“This effort is designed to support American citrus growers by cutting bureaucratic barriers and would end a 60-year old rule that impacts domestic farmers and forces reliance on foreign imports.”
Reducing the Brix standard is expected to save orange juice manufacturers approximately $50 million annually, while also decreasing the need for imported oranges used in “not from concentrate” products.
“The FDA’s rule would reduce the minimum required Brix level in pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10% reflecting the natural Brix level of oranges produced in the US.”
Secretary Rollins praised the proposal as a breakthrough for Florida’s hard-hit citrus industry:
“This is a big win for our citrus growers. Florida’s orange growers have faced years of hardships from hurricanes, greening, and burdensome regulations that no longer reflect the realities of today’s crop. FDA Commissioner Makary’s leadership on this and the urgent change is a commonsense reform that cuts red tape, strengthens our domestic supply chain, and ensures more American oranges end up in American breakfast glasses. I am proud to be his partner and will keep fighting every day for our American citrus industry.”
Florida Citrus Mutual EVP and CEO Matt Joyner echoed the sentiment, calling the change transformative:
“Today’s proposed rule marks a turning point for Florida’s iconic citrus industry. By aligning the Brix standard to reflect today’s crop, Florida citrus growers are empowered to strengthen our domestic supply chain, stay resilient and remain competitive in the marketplace… We applaud the Trump administration, Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, and Representatives Scott Franklin and Debbie Wasserman Schultz for championing the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act and this critical issue to move Florida citrus forward.”
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.