• Yesterday, FDA announced its issuance of a request for information on a citizen petition asking the Agency to amend the standard of identity (SOI) for pasteurized orange juice (POJ) by lowering the minimum soluble solids content, known as the Brix level. The current SOI for POJ requires that the product contains not less than 10.5 percent by weight of orange juice soluble solids (also expressed as degree Brix), exclusive of the solids of any added optional sweetening ingredients, and the ratio of the Brix hydrometer reading to the grams of anhydrous citric acid per 100 milliliters of juice is not less than 10 to 1 pursuant to 21 CFR 146.140(a).

• The citizen petition, Docket No. FDA–2022–P–1668, filed by the Florida Citrus Processors Association and Florida Citrus Mutual on July 25, 2022, asks the FDA to reduce the Brix level, or minimum soluble solids requirement, from 10.5 to 10 percent, citing that the average Brix level of Florida’s orange crop has steadily dropped over the past couple of decades due to a bacterial disease called “citrus greening” and severe weather. Lowering the minimum level of soluble solids might reduce the sweetness of the juice and the levels of certain nutrients.

• The request for information seeks comment on several areas, including consumer acceptance and nutritional value of pasteurized orange juice with a lower minimum soluble solids content. The FDA is requesting the information to determine whether the SOI for pasteurized orange juice should be amended.

• Comments are due by October 16, 2023 and may be submitted electronically here. Specifically, FDA requests comments, data, and information about the issues presented in the petition.