Florida Lawmakers have successfully pushed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revise the Brix threshold, relieving pressure on Florida citrus growers amidst rising crop challenges.
The Brix threshold is the measurement of the dissolved solids in a liquid, in this case, sugar. Florida citrus growers were required to meet a Brix threshold of 10.5% which proved too strenuous for crop production and reduced profitability for citrus farmers.
The FDA lobby was a bipartisan effort by Florida representatives, Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D), Scott Franklin (R), and Mario Díaz-Balart (R), who claim “this is a commonsense fix.”
Rep. Wasserman Schultz released a statement expressing satisfaction with the FDA’s decision, saying, “This fix will deliver needed relief to Florida growers facing historic pest, disease, and climate challenges. I'm so proud to champion this commonsense change.”
Rep. Díaz-Balart says that the revision will lead to more flexibility within grower and producer circles, keeping orange production in Florida and not relying on imports.
“The industry has faced significant challenges such as pests, disease, and severe weather over the years. This change will ensure that our growers and processors have the flexibility to continue producing in Florida and not depend on imports that will increase prices for consumers and threaten the very existence of the industry,” he said.
Due to tree stress, shifting weather patterns, and severe disease pressures, particularly citrus greening disease (HLB), the average Brix level of Florida oranges has declined over the last decade.
Despite the challenges, however, Florida’s citrus industry continues to be a vital icon of the Sunshine State, generating an annual economic impact of $6.9 billion and supporting more than 32,000 jobs. Many Floridians rely on the citrus industry to support our food supply, national security, green spaces, and local jobs.
With the new regulations, the industry can continue its existence and can potentially see new growth with the more relaxed requirements.
According to the Executive Director of the Florida Citrus Processors Association, Robin Bryant, “Changing the minimum Brix level for orange juice will modernize the standard to more accurately reflect the naturally occurring levels of the Florida oranges. This will allow our juice processors to more fully utilize the Florida orange crop and support the Florida citrus grower.”
