Florida Department of Citrus Applauds Updated Federal Standard for 100% Orange Juice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2026

New rule supports Florida citrus growers while preserving the quality, taste and integrity of 100% orange juice

Lakeland, Fla. - The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) applauds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision today to update the federal Standard of Identity for pasteurized orange juice.

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced the updated rule during an event in Lakeland alongside industry leaders and stakeholders, including Florida Department of Citrus Executive Director Shannon Shepp.

"Today is a great day in the State of Florida," said Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus. "This decision will strengthen the future of Florida Citrus, the growers and their families while ensuring consumers continue to enjoy the same high-quality and nutritious 100% orange juice they know and love at breakfast, post workout and everything in between."

The updated standard will lower the minimum Brix level from 10.5 to 10 and allow for more Florida oranges to qualify for pasteurized orange juice production while reducing the need for imported higher-Brix juice to meet the previous federal requirement. This new rule will not change the taste, quality, safety or nutritional value of 100% orange juice.

This decision reflects years of collaboration between Florida citrus growers, processors and industry organizations in response to changing growing conditions caused by citrus greening.

"Today's announcement means we can make better use of the oranges my family works so hard to grow," said Daniel Hunt, who serves on the Florida Citrus Commission and is president of Hunt Bros. Coop, a family-owned citrus operation. "It gives growers who have spent years investing in new trees and research to recover from disease and devastating hurricanes more confidence that we can pass our groves on to the next generation."

For more information about Florida Orange Juice and the updated federal standard, visit FloridaCitrus.org.

ABOUT THE FDOC: The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) was created in 1935 by the Florida Legislature at the request of Florida citrus growers. The state agency is led by the 11-member Florida Citrus Commission. Florida citrus contributes $6.9 billion to the state's economy. [email protected].

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