Understanding Sugar Levels in Orange Juice and Recent FDA Changes

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently proposed a modification to lower the minimum sugar content required in pasteurized orange juice. While naturally occurring sugars are present in orange juice, many dietitians emphasize concerns about added sugars in processed foods. "Orange juice itself isn't the main issue," explains Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Human Nutrition. "The concern lies in the added sugars found in many of the foods we consume daily." Vandana Sheth, a registered dietitian based in Torrance, California, states that orange juice can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in appropriate portions, ideally between 4 to 6 ounces. She advises limiting intake to one or two glasses per day and suggests opting for whole oranges instead, as they contain fiber that slows sugar absorption. According to Zumpano, even though the sugars in orange juice are natural, they enter the bloodstream more rapidly than those from eating the fruit directly. She highlights the concentration of sugar: "Think about how many oranges you need to squeeze to fill a glass—that's the amount of sugar you're consuming." To mitigate the sugar r...