Orange juice is a common table mate for many households in the U.S., right up there with bacon and eggs. Clearly, there is nutritional value that can be pulled from its juicy source, the orange, but there has been a lingering thought into its quantity of sugar – as well as if there are health ramifications to consider. In fact, the FDA recently sat up and took notice of sugar issues with pasteurized orange juice, spurring new conversations within the food and beverage industry, as well as in agriculture. It’s time to take a long look at what we’re placing on our dining tables from a health perspective!

Risks Driving the Desire for Change

While it’s understood there are benefits to pasteurized orange juice, specifically the strong amount of vitamin C it offers, the amount of sugar it contains must be considered. Some of this sugar comes from fructose and other naturally occurring sugars that come from oranges themselves. However, it’s the added sugars we find in the juice that we must be especially cognizant of as potential health-related issues can occur, including:

  • Spikes in blood sugar: Orange juice (like other juices) can incite a rapid increase in blood sugar; this is especially problematic for those with diabetes or prediabetes.1
  • Potential weight gain: Consuming large amounts of pasteurized orange juices (as well as other juices) can cause weight gain – even obesity.2
  • Lack of fiber: Unfortunately, the juicing process strips away the important fiber found in whole oranges, an essential part of a healthy diet, which assists with blood sugar regulation and promotes fullness.3
  • Tooth decay: Teeth are at risk for notable decay due to the citric acid in the juice, which erodes tooth enamel and makes them more vulnerable to cavities.

If you love that refreshing burst of citrus, it’s recommended to opt for a whole orange when possible so you can still enjoy the delicious flavor, maintain the availability of natural nutrients, and avoid the looming health impact of sugar.

The FDA’s Next Big Moves

In 1963, when the FDA put together a Standard of Identity (SOI) around pasteurized orange juice, it developed the needed requirements for juice ingredients, development and processing, and specifications for juice content. It was also at that time that they established the minimum Brix level (a measurement of sugar content in a liquid) of 10.5% 4. However, with the steady decline of the Brix level for Florida oranges (attributed to harsh weather and “citrus greening”, a bacterial disease that slowly kills citrus trees by attacking their vascular system), it’s been challenging for growers to hit the minimum.

With this, the FDA is officially proposing to lower the minimum Brix requirement for pasteurized orange juice to 10.0%, which would equate to about 1 gram less natural sugar in an 8-ounce serving.5

And good news! According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the proposed changes will not hinder today’s juice makers, but rather expand the range of juices that can be marketed and pasteurized.6 Processors can continue to maintain higher Brix levels, but if crops average around 10.2% (as an example), the processors would be required to add in high-sugar imports or discard fruit to meet the 10.5% cutoff.7

What’s more, the change could lessen reliance on imported concentrate and could help preserve U.S. processing capacity and market share, providing long-term benefits to growers – not to mention a potential annual industry savings of over $50 million.8

Anticipation Abounds

While the change to the Brix level is still up for discussion, the food and beverage industry and those in agriculture are standing by for further developments. We are potentially on the cusp of dramatic developments that could have a big impact on what ultimately makes its way onto our tables!

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References

  1. Is It Healthy to Drink 100% Orange Juice Every Day? Verywell Health website. https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-orange-juice-healthy-11787100 August 14, 2025.
  2. FDA proposes way to cut sugar in orange juice without changing the taste. New York Post website. https://nypost.com/2025/08/18/lifestyle/orange-juice-sugar-cuts-proposed-by-fda-to-help-citrus-growers/ August 18, 2025.
  3. Is It Healthy to Drink 100% Orange Juice Every Day? Verywell Health website. https://www.verywellhealth.com/is-orange-juice-healthy-11787100 August 14, 2025.
  4. FDA Issues Proposed Rule to Amend Standard of Identity for Pasteurized Orange Juice https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-issues-proposed-rule-amend-standard-identity-pasteurized-orange-juice August 5, 2025.
  5. FDA Issues Proposed Rule to Amend Standard of Identity for Pasteurized Orange Juice https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-issues-proposed-rule-amend-standard-identity-pasteurized-orange-juice August 5, 2025.
  6. FDA’s Orange Juice Rule Could Boost U.S. Growers. American Farm Bureau Federation website. https://www.fb.org/market-intel/fdas-orange-juice-rule-could-boost-u-s-growers
  7. FDA’s Orange Juice Rule Could Boost U.S. Growers. American Farm Bureau Federation website. https://www.fb.org/market-intel/fdas-orange-juice-rule-could-boost-u-s-growers
  8. FDA’s Orange Juice Rule Could Boost U.S. Growers. American Farm Bureau Federation website. https://www.fb.org/market-intel/fdas-orange-juice-rule-could-boost-u-s-growers