U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced on July 17 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a final rule amending the Standard of Identity for pasteurized orange juice, lowering the minimum Brix level required for domestic producers.
The announcement was made at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland, Florida, with Kennedy joined by Acting FDA Commissioner Kyle Diamantas, Senator Ashley Moody, Representative Laurel Lee (FL-15), Representative Kat Cammack (FL-03), and Amy Franklin representing Congressman Scott Franklin’s office. The change reduces the minimum Brix level—a measure of dissolved sugar content—from 10.5 degrees to 10 degrees and permits up to 15% mandarin or hybrid juice by volume in pasteurized orange juice.
“President Trump is ending an outdated regulation that forced American orange juice producers to rely on foreign imports and an obsolete sugar standard,” said Kennedy. “We are cutting red tape, saving the industry more than $50 million each year, strengthening American supply chains, and creating a level playing field for U.S. citrus growers — all while maintaining the safety, quality, and taste Americans expect.”
Acting FDA Commissioner Diamantas said, “Today’s action proves the FDA is fully committed to putting American workers and American growers first, completely dismantling the regulatory barriers that have forced our markets to depend on foreign citrus imports.”
Established in 1963, the original regulation mandated a minimum Brix level of 10.5°, which became difficult for Florida citrus growers due to declining natural sugar levels caused by factors such as citrus greening disease and severe weather events. As a result, companies had relied on imported high-sugar oranges to meet federal standards.
Senator Moody said, “When I heard an outdated FDA rule was threatening the survival of Florida’s great citrus growers… Today is proof that the juice was worth the squeeze.” Congressman Franklin added, “This rule finally brings federal policy in line with today’s agricultural realities by cutting unnecessary red tape… reducing our reliance on imported orange juice.” Congresswoman Cammack said, “Now more Florida oranges can go into Florida orange juice…”
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson; Shannon Shepp from the Florida Department of Citrus; Josh Henderson from Bonnet Springs Park; as well as representatives from several state agriculture organizations attended Friday’s event.
The new rule is part of broader efforts by federal agencies to review food standards across more than 250 products.