The FDA proposes the way to cut sugar into orange juice without changing taste

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States is proposing an update to a decades of orange juice that could give impetus to American citrus producers, with little or no change in the taste of the popular breakfast degree, according to experts.

For the first time since 1963, the agency wants to reduce the minimum sugar content required in pasteurized orange juice.

The proposal, announced on August 6, would reduce the required brush level (a measure of dissolved solids, mostly natural sugars) from 10.5% to 10%. The change is aligned with the natural brix levels that are now presented in American oranges and corresponds to about 1 gram less sugar per portion of 8 ounces, from 18 grams to 17 grams, by the FDA.

The change comes from a request from 2022 by the Citrus de Florida and Florida Citrus Mutual processors, in which they said that the mid level of brush of the Florida oranges was 9.7 in 2022-23.

The current rule was established in 1963 when Florida oranges were averaged of 11.8 brush.

The intense climate and Citrus Greening diseases have reduced brush levels in fruit, forcing producers to import sweeter juices, often from Mexico and Brazil, to combine their federal standards, according to the FDA.

“We have been losing beautiful American oranges for years simply due to obsolete regulation, while we trust a large volume of imports,” said FDA commissioner Marty Makary in a statement.

Change would reduce importance dependence, potentially saving Orange producers more than $ 50 million annually, according to the agency.

According to the FDA, producers could still make higher brush juice.

Uncle Matt’s organic, which makes a variety of juices, lemonades and teas, will not decrease his brush levels, said co -founder Susan Mclean.

“Uncle Matt’s organic orange juice does not contain added sugar,” Fox News Digital told Fox. “The sugar content that occurs naturally comes directly from the fruit itself, and our brush is constantly above 11.8, which is well above the minimum threshold.”

But the company based in Florida supports the FDA’s proposal.

“The update will allow producers to trouble commercializing their fruits more effectively without compromising transparency or food safety,” said Mclean.

The movement is part of the FDA review of more than 250 identity standards (you are federally defined rules that explain what certain foods must contain and sometimes, as they are, to be marketed with a specific name.

“The agency works to ensure that their rules are relevant, relevant and respond to the current needs of the food supply and the needs of the consumer,” the FDA said in a statement.

A period of public comment on the proposed rule is open until November 4. The FDA also seeks comments on whether to lower the brush level.

Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Department of Citrus de Florida, who has long supported the Brix adjustment, said that the industry does not defend the removal of standards.

“We support science -based updates that reflect current growth conditions, while also protecting Florida oranges, our producers and the future of Florida’s orange juice,” Shepp told Fox News Digital.

“These standards are created with a spirit of honesty so that consumers know exactly what they are receiving from properly labeled products.”

Bryan Quoc Le, a food scientist in California and author of the book “150 food science questions,” Fox News Digital told that the change of sugar content will not alter the global composition of orange juice.

“There may be very smaller changes in flavor profile, fiber content and other components that come together with orange juice, but ultimately, this will not be especially noticeable from the health or point of view of the industry,” he added.

The impact of public health would be minimal, agreed by Dr. Michael Ednie, a Florida doctor who is also a registered dietitian.

“Orange juice has been criticized for its sugar content because it drinks many sugary drinks, including fruit juices, can increase the risks of health problems, such as diabetes and tooth decay,” Ednie told Fox News Digital.

He pointed out the nutritional guidelines that already recommend drinking fruit juice in moderation.

“Therefore, the main message to public health remains the same: orange juice is better in reasonable quantities as part of a balanced diet.”