Key Points
The FDA plans to lower the minimum sugar content for pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10%.
The adjustment eases long-standing burdens on Florida’s orange growers, who have struggled with hurricanes, citrus greening, and regulations that favored foreign imports.
Consumers won’t notice a taste difference, but the rule will strengthen domestic supply chains, reduce reliance on imports, and better reflect American growing conditions.
Your morning glass of orange juice might taste exactly the same, but the rules governing it are finally being changed. This week, the FDA announced plans to lower the minimum sugar requirement for pasteurized orange juice, and Florida citrus growers couldn’t be happier.
For six decades, orange juice manufacturers have had to meet a 10.5 percent “Brix level”; it’s basically the measure of dissolved sugar content. The FDA now wants to drop that to 10 percent. This small change could save the industry more than $50 million each year.
“For years, we’ve been wasting beautiful American oranges simply due to an outdated regulation, while relying on a high volume of imports,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary. The current rules have forced U.S. producers to import high-sugar orange juice from other countries to hit the 10.5 percent mark.
Florida Citrus Industry Faces Regulatory Relief
If you’ve followed Florida agriculture lately, the state’s orange growers have faced many struggles for years. Hurricanes, citrus greening, and some regulations have affected crops across the state.
“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,” Secretary Rollins explained. The proposed change represents “commonsense reform that cuts red tape, strengthens our domestic supply chain, and ensures more American oranges end up in American breakfast glasses.”
Senator Ashley Moody has been fighting this battle for months. Earlier this year, she introduced the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act, targeting exactly this issue. “Our growers have faced many hardships over the past several years,” Moody said, “and could no longer endure unnecessary and burdensome regulations that favored foreign growers.”
Economic Impact on Domestic Producers
Many U.S. manufacturers have been buying imported juice specifically to boost their Brix levels. They’re essentially paying extra to meet an arbitrary standard that doesn’t reflect American growing conditions.
Matt Joyner runs Florida Citrus Mutual, and he’s seen this problem firsthand. “Today’s proposed rule marks a turning point for Florida’s iconic citrus industry,” he said. “By aligning the Brix standard to reflect today’s crop, Florida citrus growers are empowered to strengthen our domestic supply chain.”
It’s not just Florida that is cheering on this significant change. Dale Murden from Texas Citrus Mutual hopes the change helps Florida growers “rebuild and sustain this important industry for all consumers who have enjoyed fresh orange juice domestically grown for generations.” Even California’s farm bureau jumped on board, with President Shannon Douglass noting that changes like this “help protect our nation’s citrus industry and strengthen its position with international competitors.”
Regulatory Review and Scientific Rationale
The FDA is currently putting more effort into reviewing more than 250 food standards to ensure these rules reflect how we grow, process, and consume food in 2025.
American oranges naturally contain slightly less sugar than some imported ones. This is primarily due to climate, soil conditions, and agricultural practices unique to U.S. growing regions. The old standard essentially hurt American farmers for growing fruit that tastes great but doesn’t hit an arbitrary number.
Commissioner Makary emphasized that consumers won’t notice any difference. “Orange juice will still taste just as good,” he promised. For most people, the difference between 10 percent and 10.5 percent Brix is undetectable.
Implementation Timeline and Public Input
The FDA will collect public comments through November 4, 2025. That’s a long window, but it gives everyone from consumer groups to food manufacturers to agricultural organizations time to weigh in. You can find the complete proposed rule text on the Federal Register website.
If everything goes smoothly, the new standard could take effect by early next year. That timing works well for citrus growers, who could see relief heading into the next growing season.
Broader Policy Implications
This new regulation reflects broader reforms you’re seeing across American agriculture policy. There is a growing focus on strengthening domestic supply chains and reducing dependence on imports. It’s part of what officials refer to as an “America First” approach to food policy.
However, it’s also about ensuring that government rules reflect the ongoing reality. When regulations force companies to import foreign products to meet standards that don’t reflect domestic conditions, something’s wrong with the system.
Florida’s orange groves have been part of American agriculture for generations. With a bit of regulatory change and many more to come, they’ll benefit more in the future.