New rules placing grapefruit for processing maturity standards into Chapter 20 as a result of the industry's maturity standards being removed from Chapter 601, FS. by the 2012 Legislature and allowing the industry more flexibility to deal with ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF CITRUS

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
20-82.001: Purpose
20-82.002: When Grapefruit for Processing into Juice and Juice Products Deemed Mature
20-82.003: Grapefruit for Processing into Grapefruit Sections and Salads Deemed Mature

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: New rules placing grapefruit for processing maturity standards into Chapter 20, F.A.C., as a result of the industry’s maturity standards being removed from Chapter 601, FS. by the 2012 Legislature and allowing the industry more flexibility to deal with weather and disease emergencies as they affect citrus.

SUMMARY: New rules placing grapefruit for processing maturity standards into Chapter 20, F.A.C.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: These rules, while new, are a result of the 2012 Legislature removing the maturity standards from statute thereby allowing their placement into Chapter 20 rules; as the statute wording has been brought directly into the rules, there will be no impact to the industry.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 601.10(7), 601.11 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 601.9910(1) FS.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: October 24, 2012, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main Street, Bartow, Florida 33830

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULES IS: Alice Wiggins, License & Regulation Specialist, P. O. Box 9010, Bartow, FL 33831 or [e-mail]

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULES IS:

GRAPEFRUIT MATURITY STANDARDS – PROCESSED

20-82.001 Purpose.

The purpose of this rule is to set forth the specific standards as to when grapefruit intended for processing are considered mature and specifies the variances relating to maturity standards in accordance with specific times of the year.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.9910(1) FS. History–New 1-1-13.

20-82.002 When Grapefruit for Processing into Juice and Juice Products Deemed Mature.

(1) For the period August 1 through November 30, maturity requirements for:

(a) Juice content;

(b) Acid;

(c) And color break;

Shall be the same as established in Chapter 20-50. F.A.C. for grapefruit for fresh use.

(2) After November 30, there shall be no minimum requirement for:

(a) Juice content;

(b) Acid;

(c) And color break.

(3) For the period August 1 through November 30, the total soluble solids (Brix) of the juice from seedy grapefruit shall be not less than 8 percent, and the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous citric acid shall be not less than eight to one.

(4) For the period August 1 through November 30, the total soluble solids (Brix) of the juice from seedless grapefruit shall be not less than 7.5 percent, and the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous citric acid shall be not less than eight to one.

(5) For the period December 1 through December 31, the total soluble solids (Brix) of the juice from seedy and seedless grapefruit shall be not less than 7 percent, and the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous citric acid shall be not less than eight to one.

(6) For the period January 1 through January 31, the total soluble solids (Brix) of the juice from seedy and seedless grapefruit shall be not less than 6.5 percent, and the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous citric acid shall be not less than eight to one.

(7) For the period of February 1 through April 14, the total soluble solids (Brix) of the juice from seedy and seedless grapefruit shall be not less than 6.5 percent, and the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous citric acid shall be not less than six and one-half to one.

(8) For the period of April 15 through July 31, the total soluble solids (Brix) of the juice from seedy and seedless grapefruit shall be not less than 6.5 percent, and the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous citric acid shall be not less than six to one.

(9) All grapefruit:

(a) Subject to inspection;

(b) And legally diverted from the packinghouse for processing into juice and juice products;

Shall be deemed mature as provided in paragraphs 1-8 above, except that, for the period August 1 through January 31, the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous citric acid shall be not less than seven and one-half to one. For the period August 1 through January 31, such fruit failing to meet maturity standards as provided may be used in the production of products as provided in Section 601.9906(2), FS.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.9910(1) FS. History–New 1-1-13.

20-82.003 Grapefruit for Processing into Grapefruit Sections and Salads Deemed Mature.

(1) For the period August 1 through November 30, maturity requirements shall be the same as established in Chapter 20-50, F.A.C.

(2) After November 30, there shall be no minimum requirements for:

(a) Juice content;

(b) Acid;

(c) Or color break.

(3) For the Period December 1 through December 31, the total soluble solids (Brix) of the juice shall be not less than 7 percent, and the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous citric acid shall meet the requirements of Chapter 20-51, F.A.C.

(4) For the period January 1 through April 14, the total soluble solids (Brix) of the juice shall be not less than 6.5 percent, and the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous citric acid shall be not less than six and one-half to one.

(5) For the period April 15 through July 31, the total soluble solids (Brix) of the juice shall be not less than 6.5 percent, and the minimum ratio of total soluble solids to anhydrous citric acid shall be not less than six to one.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Authority 601.10(7), 601.11 FS. Law Implemented 601.9910(1) FS. History–New 1-1-13.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: William Roberts, Acting General Counsel

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Citrus Commission

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 16, 2012

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: June 1, 2012