USDA Updates Sweetness Rules for Grade B Orange Juice Nationwide
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA just updated the rules for grading orange juice, specifically changing the sugar level limits for Grade B pasteurized orange juice to match FDA standards. This affects juice producers and sellers who need to follow the new guidelines starting November 18, 2025. If you have thoughts, you can share them by January 20, 2026, but no big costs or delays are expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
USDA makes POJ grade rule match FDA
Starting November 18, 2025, USDA removed the fixed Grade B Brix minimums (10.5) for unsweetened and sweetened pasteurized orange juice and replaced them with a reference to the FDA Standard of Identity at 21 CFR 146.140(a). If you produce or sell orange juice, you must follow the new USDA standard that now points to the FDA rule instead of the fixed 10.5 Brix numbers.
USDA move clears way for FDA Brix cut
USDA’s change means its U.S. Standards will track the FDA Standard of Identity; FDA has proposed lowering the minimum soluble solids (Brix) from 10.5° to 10.0°. If FDA finalizes that change, producers (including Florida growers who petitioned FDA) would realize the relief from a lower Brix minimum because USDA now references 21 CFR 146.140(a).
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