The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have proposed to update the standard of identity (SOI) for pasteurized orange juice.

This action would end a 60-year-old rule that causes reliance on foreign imports. The FDA expects this change is unlikely to affect the taste of pasteurized orange juice.

The FDA’s proposed rule would reduce the minimum required Brix level — a measure of dissolved sugar content — in pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10%, better reflecting the natural Brix level of American oranges. The rule change is estimated to save orange juice manufacturers more than $50 million per year and would reduce reliance on the use of imported oranges for “not from concentrate” pasteurized orange juice products in order to meet the required Brix level.

The Florida Citrus Processors Association Inc. and Florida Citrus Mutual Inc. jointly submitted a citizen petition on July 22, 2022 to amend the SOI. The current standard has become increasingly difficult for U.S. growers to meet due to severe weather and other factors. Despite producing quality fruit, many producers import high-Brix level orange juice from abroad to comply with this regulation.

This proposal is part of the FDA’s broader effort to review more than 250 SOIs. The FDA will accept public comments through Nov. 4. FE