In Lakeland, Florida, federal health authorities have revised regulations concerning orange juice, a move that Florida farmers and the citrus industry believe was long overdue and much needed.
During Friday’s announcement at Bonnet Springs Park, the focus was clear: prioritizing American farmers. The leaders argued that even this slight amendment to the mandate could profoundly benefit Florida’s agricultural community.
Florida’s iconic orange has faced significant challenges over the years.
“In the past 20 years, we’ve seen a dramatic decline in Florida orange production, dropping by 90% to 95%,” stated U.S. Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL), highlighting the urgency of these regulatory changes.
There’s been freezes, hurricanes, and citrus greening diseases. Those challenges naturally lowered the oranges’ sugar content, so they didn’t meet federal standards for pasteurized juicing, established back in 1963. Because of the rule, American orange juice companies had to buy the fruit from foreign countries. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. said the previous rule was outdated.
“The regulations hurt our economy, drove up costs. They cost American jobs and unnecessarily forced higher sugar levels in orange juice, which is something that we don’t want,” Kennedy said. “This long overdue reform will reduce our dependence on foreign imports, unleash American agriculture and save the industry more than $60 million every year.”
Friday, state and federal health officials announced the minimum dissolved sugar content, or brix level, has been lowered from 10.5 degrees to 10 degrees. Leaders said the change reflects the realities of agriculture while preserving quality.
“Consumers will continue to enjoy the same wholesome, nutritious, high-quality Florida orange juice they’ve always known. While more Florida-grown fruit will qualify as juice, that means more opportunities for our growers,” said U.S. Representative Laurel Lee (FL-15).
Florida agriculture officials called this commonsense legislation. They said it contributes to the health of the economy and could save the industry more than $60 million every year.
“We also had additional dollars to provide for the manufacturing facilities that we’re going to need to put this orange juice in the containers in just a few years when we’re hopefully producing 20 or 25 or 30 million boxes of fruit again,” said Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
Leaders said supporting agriculture and healthy food choices go hand in hand.
“We need to grow it here or manufacture it here for the safety and strength of our country. Let’s get it done,” Moody said.