The FDA has finalized a rule lowering the minimum Brix level for pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10%, and now allows up to 15% mandarin or tangerine juice by volume in products labeled as orange juice. Brix measures the sugar content and serves as a proxy for juice concentration and quality.
This is a meaningful regulatory shift for citrus processors and buyers. Lowering the Brix threshold effectively allows more dilute juice to meet the legal standard, while permitting mandarin blending gives processors more flexibility to manage costs during periods of tight orange supply — which has been a persistent issue given HLB damage in Florida and global supply volatility.
For category managers buying juice or citrus-based products, this rule change could affect product specs, labeling, and supplier negotiations. Worth reviewing supplier contracts to understand how this new standard affects what's being delivered.