Oranges - Maturity Standards

 

DEPARTMENT OF CITRUS

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

20ER15-2Oranges - Maturity Standards

SPECIFIC REASONS FOR FINDING AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE: 120.54(4)(b), Florida Statutes, states that those rules pertaining to perishable agricultural commodities shall be included in the definition of rules relating to the public health, safety, or welfare.

Due to adverse growing conditions over the last 10 years due to Huanglongbing (greening) disease significant amounts of the Florida orange crop in the 2015-2016 season will have an acid content below the 0.4 minimum established in rule. Strict enforcement of the anhydrous acid content requirements, which were adopted largely to control abuse of plant growth regulators which are no longer in use, could cause economic waste by allowing good and safe food to be ruled immature.

After taking testimony and discussing the matter at a telephonic meeting and hearing in Bartow, Florida on November 19, 2015, the Florida Citrus Commission found that there exist unusual growing conditions which could cause a substantial portion of the orange crop to fail minimum acid requirements. They voted unanimously to adopt Emergency Rule 20ER15-2, adjusting the time period under which the anhydrous citric acid has a minimum from December 1 through July 31 to November 19 through July 31 for oranges used in processing.

REASON FOR CONCLUDING THAT THE PROCEDURE IS FAIR UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES: Adequate notice procedures were used by the Department of Citrus to inform the public and the Florida citrus industry of the pending adoption of Emergency Rule 20ER15-2 adjusting the time period under which the anhydrous citrus acid has a minimum from December 1 through July 31 to November 19 through July 31 for oranges used in processing, in that notice was made via email of the emergency rulemaking to take place at the November 19, 2015 meeting on November 19, 2015 to members of the Florida Citrus Commission, all industry organizations, the Florida Press Corps and other interested persons.

SUMMARY: Emergency rule 20ER15-2 adjusts the time period under which the anhydrous citric acid has a minimum from December 1 through July 31 to November 19 through July 31 for oranges used in processing.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE EMERGENCY RULE IS: Alice P. Wiggins, Administrative Assistant, Legal Department, Florida Department of Citrus, P O Box 9010, Bartow, Florida 33831-9010 or [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE EMERGENCY RULE IS:

 

20ER15-2 Oranges - Maturity Standards

From November 19 of each year to July 31 of the following year, both dates inclusive, oranges shall be deemed to be mature for canning and concentrating purposes when the total soluble solids of the juice is not less than 8 percent and when the minimum ratio of the total soluble solids of the juice to the anhydrous citric acid is as set forth in 20-54 F.A.C., with no minimum requirement as to juice content, acid, or color break.

Rulemaking Authority 6901.10(7), 601.111, FS Law Implemented 601.9910(1), FS History—New 11-20-15

 

THIS RULE TAKES EFFECT UPON BEING FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNLESS A LATER TIME AND DATE IS SPECIFIED IN THE RULE.