# 2026-14573: FDA Lowers the Bar for What Counts as Orange Juice

2026-14573, Food Standards of Identity Modernization; Pasteurized Orange Juice, is a Federal Register rule from Health and Human Services Department, Food and Drug Administration published 2026-07-20, effective 2026-08-19; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-07-27).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14573
- As of: 2026-07-27
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-14573
- Title: Food Standards of Identity Modernization; Pasteurized Orange Juice
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Health and Human Services Department; Food and Drug Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 45190
- Published: 2026-07-20
- Effective: 2026-08-19
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 0910-AI98
- Last updated: 2026-07-27

## In one line

FDA Lowers the Bar for What Counts as Orange Juice

## Summary

The FDA is updating the rules for pasteurized orange juice by lowering the minimum sugar content and allowing up to 15% of a new type of citrus juice. This change helps juice makers, especially in Florida, keep up with modern practices without raising costs. The new rules kick in on August 19, 2026, giving producers time to adjust.

## Abstract

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is issuing a final rule to amend the standard of identity for pasteurized orange juice by lowering the minimum orange juice soluble solids content from 10.5[deg] to 10[deg] Brix and permitting up to 15 percent Citrus reticulata juice or Citrus reticulata hybrid juice, by volume. This final rule modernizes the pasteurized orange juice standard. This action responds to two citizen petitions: one submitted by the Florida Citrus Processors Association Inc. and the Florida Citrus Mutual Inc., and another submitted by the Florida Department of Citrus, the Florida Citrus Mutual, and the Juice Products Association.

## Effects PRIA read

- Minimum sugar standard lowered to 10° Brix: benefit, low. The FDA lowers the minimum soluble solids (Brix) for pasteurized orange juice from 10.5° to 10° Brix. This changes sugar per 8-ounce serving from about 18 grams to about 17 grams and alters some nutrients (potassium 455→419 mg per serving, folate 96→89 µg DFE per serving, vitamin C 74→85 mg per ser…
- Permit up to 15% Citrus reticulata juice: benefit, medium. The FDA increases the maximum allowable volume of unfermented Citrus reticulata (or hybrids) in pasteurized orange juice from 10 percent to 15 percent. After this change, pasteurized orange juice must be at least 85 percent Citrus sinensis by volume if Citrus reticulata is used.
- Manufacturers estimated cost savings ~$28M/year: benefit, medium. FDA estimates primary annualized cost savings to manufacturers of about -$28.8 million at a 3% discount rate and about -$28.4 million at a 7% discount rate, annualized over 10 years, from the added flexibility to use lower-Brix fruit and different blends.
- No new labeling or compliance burdens: benefit, low. FDA states the final rule does not change any labeling requirements for pasteurized orange juice: grams of sugar remain on the Nutrition Facts label, and FDA declined to require Brix disclosure. FDA also concludes the rule does not impose compliance costs on industry.

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## Sources
- [2026-14573 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/20/2026-14573/food-standards-of-identity-modernization-pasteurized-orange-juice)
- [2026-14573 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-07-20/pdf/2026-14573.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14573 (as of 2026-07-27).