VIDEO: The Juice Was Worth the Squeeze—Senator Moody Declares Victory in Fight to Modernize OJ Standards and Save Florida’s Citrus Industry

Home How Can I Help? News Contact Us Share Your Opinion Federal Nominations Scheduling Request Storm Preparation About Search for: Home How Can I Help? News Contact Us Share Your Opinion Federal Nominations Scheduling Request Storm Preparation About All News VIDEO: The Juice Was Worth the Squeeze—Senator Moody Declares Victory in Fight to Modernize OJ Standards and Save Florida’s Citrus Industry Jul 17, 2026 LAKELAND, Fla.— Senator Ashley Moody today took a victory lap with Florida’s citrus growers after a years-long battle to modernize orange juice standards. Shortly after taking the oath to become Florida’s newest U.S. Senator, Moody sponsored the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act to update a sugar regulation known as the Brix Standard. Senator Moody also petitioned the White House to get it done. Today, at a citrus exhibit in Polk County, administration officials joined Senator Moody to declare mission accomplished. “When I heard an outdated FDA rule was threatening the survival of Florida’s great citrus growers, I immediately went to work—filing the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act and meeting with the White House to expedite a solution. Today is proof that the juice was worth the squeeze. Florida’s citrus farmers are an integral part of Florida’s culture, and I will always fight to ensure they have the support they need to continue growing and making a living,” said Senator Ashley Moody . “Thank you to everyone who worked so cohesively to make this happen, including Sec. Kennedy, Sec. Rollins, Rep. Franklin, Rep. Lee, Rep. Cammack, and our industry partners. This is a major win for our state.” “President Trump is ending an outdated regulation that forced American orange juice producers to rely on foreign imports and an obsolete sugar standard,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We are cutting red tape, saving the industry more than $50 million each year, strengthening American supply chains, and creating a level playing field for U.S. citrus growers — all while maintaining the safety, quality, and taste Americans expect. That is America First policy, guided by gold-standard science.” “This final rule is a critical victory for Florida citrus and the growers working tirelessly to keep this iconic industry alive,” said Representative Scott Franklin . “For years, our producers have battled citrus greening, hurricanes, freezes and rising production costs while operating under a federal regulation written for a different era. This rule finally brings federal policy in line with today’s agricultural realities by cutting unnecessary red tape, helping American growers get more value from the fruit they produce and reducing our reliance on imported orange juice. I’m grateful to Secretary Kennedy, Senator Moody, our Florida delegation and our citrus industry leaders for helping deliver this long overdue win for Florida agriculture.” “When Congressman Scott Franklin and I first started working on this issue, Florida growers kept asking us one simple question: Why are we being forced to blend imported juice into a product made from perfectly good Florida oranges? The answer was an outdated Washington regulation that had not kept pace with citrus greening, hurricanes, freezes, and the realities in Florida’s groves,” said Representative Kat Cammack . “For years, we have worked with Florida Citrus Mutual, the Florida Citrus Processors Association, the Florida Farm Bureau, FDA, and our colleagues in Congress to fix it. We introduced legislation, took the case directly to the agency, and kept pushing until Washington listened. I’m grateful to Secretary Kennedy and Acting Commissioner Diamantas for delivering a commonsense, science-based solution. Now, more Florida oranges can go into Florida orange juice, and one of our state’s proudest industries has a stronger path forward.” “Secretary Kennedy understands that supporting American agriculture and promoting access to wholesome, American-grown foods go hand in hand,” said Representative Laurel Lee . “The FDA’s proposed update to the Brix standard preserves the quality consumers expect while creating new opportunities for Florida’s citrus growers. I appreciate his leadership and look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen American agriculture and reduce unnecessary barriers for our producers.” BACKGROUND: To view the recorded press conference, click here . Last year, Senator Moody introduced the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act to modernize the Brix standard. Rep. Scott Franklin introduced the measure in the House. The newly approved FDA rule mirrors Senator Moody’s legislation to modernize the arbitrary standard of sugar levels for pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10% while not making a discernible difference in taste and nutritional value. By updating this sugar standard, Florida citrus growers will be able to more easily respond to greening and recover from severe weather, while also regain their ab