Florida Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody, both Republicans, introduced the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act.
The legislation from the Florida Republican Senators would support American growers by changing the standard of sugar levels for pasteurized orange juice from a 10.5% brix standard to 10%.
“Floridians and orange juice aficionados alike love the fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice that our state is known for and our citrus growers work hard to produce,” Senator Rick Scott said. “Our bill, the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act, will support domestic growers who have faced severe hardship over the past years and ensure federal regulations aren’t working against their success, while preserving the quality of our orange juice for American families to enjoy.”
“The Sunshine State is world famous for our fresh-from-Florida orange juice and many folks in our state depend on this industry being protected for their livelihoods,” Senator Ashley Moody said. “This legislation would modernize standards to protect citrus growers who have dealt with many hardships over the past several years. I am proud to stand with our great Florida citrus growers and support their hard work that benefits families across our nation.”
Republicans believe the legislation will help Florida’s citrus economy and the Sunshine State’s flagship crop.
“Outdated standards and needless red tape are standing in the way of Florida citrus’s big comeback,” Florida Congressman Scott Franklin said. “While slow-moving FDA bureaucrats take years to deliberate a small regulatory adjustment, our growers are losing out on profit to foreign producers and struggling to keep their operations afloat. This simple fix throws them a lifeline, allowing more domestic product to come to market without sacrificing quality for consumers. Helping Florida’s flagship crop is a bipartisan issue, and I’m grateful to my Florida colleagues for joining me to update this harmful regulation.”
