FDA Proposal Could Help Citrus Bounce Back

For a lot of folks, that morning glass of orange juice is a simple pleasure. But for growers in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, that glass comes with a tough backstory. Hurricanes and citrus greening disease have hammered the industry, especially in Florida where orange production has fallen 92% since 2005. This season’s crop is expected to be the smallest since 1930—a devastating drop for growers and the rural economies that depend on them.

Now, the FDA is proposing a small regulatory shift that could help. The agency wants to lower the minimum sugar content requirement for pasteurized orange juice from 10.5 to 10 degrees Brix. If you’re not familiar, that’s the measure of natural sweetness in juice. It amounts to about one gram less sugar in an eight-ounce glass—something consumers won’t notice—but it could make a big difference for growers and processors.

According to a Market Intel report from the American Farm Bureau, this change could save the industry over $50 million a year. For growers, it’s a chance to keep more fruit in the juice market. The FDA proposal is open for public comment until November 4, and growers have the chance to be part of that conversation.

You can find more on this story at https://www.fb.org/market-intel/fdas-orange-juice-rule-could-boost-u-s-growers