The USA updates the standard for pasteurized orange juice

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is amending the U.S. standards for the classification of orange juice by changing the limit values for the allowable Brix content in pasteurized orange juice of Grade B. Brix represents a measure of the natural sugars and soluble solids in the juice—a key indicator of sweetness and concentration that also determines the quality grade. Grade B is a commercial juice grade with lower sweetness and properties acceptable to the market, but below the highest Grade A. The changes aim for full compliance with the FDA’s Standard of Identity (SOI)—an official definition of what can be called "pasteurized orange juice" and what minimum parameters it must cover. The allowable Brix values in U.S. standards are based on the FDA’s SOI, and any change in the requirements necessitates a corresponding adjustment in the USDA ...