WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed updating the federal standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice in a move officials say could benefit American citrus growers and reduce reliance on imported fruit.

The proposal would lower the minimum required Brix level — a measure of dissolved sugar content — in pasteurized orange juice from 10.5 percent to 10 percent. According to the FDA, the adjustment would better reflect the natural sugar content of U.S.-grown oranges, particularly in light of weather-related challenges and crop disease.

The agency estimates the change could save orange juice manufacturers more than $50 million annually and reduce the need for imported oranges in “not from concentrate” products. The FDA said the modification is not expected to alter the taste of pasteurized orange juice.

The current requirement, in place for more than six decades, has been difficult for some U.S. growers to meet in recent years due to hurricanes, citrus greening, and other factors affecting crop quality. Industry representatives from Florida, Texas, and California have expressed support for the proposed rule, describing it as a step toward strengthening the domestic citrus supply chain.

The change is part of a broader FDA review of over 250 standards of identity to ensure regulations align with current science and market conditions.

The proposal is open for public comment through November 4, 2025. Details are available in the Federal Register and on the FDA’s website.