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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated the Standard of Identity (SOI) for pasteurized orange juice, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced at a press conference at Bonnet Springs Park on Friday, July 17.
The FDA issued a final rule lowering the Brix level, a measure of dissolved sugar content, from 10.5 to 10 and permitting up to 15% of Citrus reticulata (mandarin/tangerine) juice or Citrus reticulata hybrid juice by volume. The new regulations take effect on August 19, 2026.
In recent decades, citrus greening, a bacterial infection that weakens orange trees, and weather conditions like hurricanes have had a negative effect on Florida’s citrus groves, naturally lowering the sugar content of the fruit.
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What it means for Florida orange growers
The FDA establishes SOIs to prevent the adulteration of food products and ensure that consumers know what’s in their food. “SOIs often describe in detail what a food must contain and what is optional and sometimes describe the amount or proportion of ingredients or components. Many SOIs also prescribe a method of production or formulation,” according to the FDA.
“Even though Florida growers continue to produce high-quality fruit, orange juice companies have had to import higher sugar content oranges, mainly from Brazil but other foreign countries, in order to satisfy these outdated requirements,” Kennedy said.
The change in FDA requirements will allow orange juice producers to rely more heavily on Florida oranges, rather than requiring them to import oranges with a higher Brix level to meet the standards.
Petition for change
In 1963, the FDA established an SOI for pasteurized orange juice, mandating a minimum 10.5 Brix level in the juice. It also allowed for up to 10% Citrus reticulata (mandarin/tangerine) juice or Citrus reticulata hybrid juice by volume.
In July 2022, the Florida Citrus Processors Association Inc. and Florida Citrus Mutual Inc., submitted petitions to the FDA for the change to the Brix level. The Florida Department of Citrus, the Florida Citrus Processors Association, Florida Citrus Mutual Inc., and the Juice Products Association, submitted a petition in November 2023 asking to increase the maximum allowable percentage of unfermented juice from Citrus reticulata or its hybrids.
Kennedy was joined by Kyle Diamantas, FDA Acting Commissioner, and lawmakers who were instrumental in the change: U.S. Senator Ashley Moody (FL), U.S. Representative Laurel Lee (FL-15), and U.S. Representative Kat Cammack (FL-03). Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18), was unable to attend, but his wife, Amy, and members of his staff were in attendance.
Kennedy met with Members of Congress and Florida citrus industry leaders before participating in the press conference announcing the updated federal standard.
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