ICBC + Meetings + Juice News + … = a lot.

Ok, I am focusing on an announcement and an article on citrus this week… Juice News is going to face some irregularity.

See you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

PepsiCo is introducing a ready-to-drink version of the "dirty soda" trend, which combines soda with creamers and flavors. An executive indicated that this trend is still on the rise and has not yet peaked. The company aims to capitalize on this growing market by offering innovative beverage options that cater to evolving consumer preferences in the soda category.

Sweelin, a new sweetener approximately 3,500 times sweeter than sugar, has successfully passed a significant regulatory milestone in the United States. The company behind Sweelin is currently collaborating with various food and beverage manufacturers to conduct product trials. Initial studies suggest that this sweetener has minimal impact on blood sugar levels, indicating potential benefits for consumers seeking low-calorie alternatives to traditional sugars.

Resealable aluminum can ends are being developed by various manufacturers to meet the growing demand for sustainable and convenient beverage packaging solutions. These innovations are gaining market momentum, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences towards more functional packaging options. The introduction of these technologies is expected to enhance the overall beverage experience by providing ease of use while promoting sustainability in packaging materials.

Brazil's citrus greening disease, while experiencing a slowdown in its growth rate, is increasingly severe in the trees that are still affected. The ongoing impact of this disease poses significant challenges for the citrus industry, as the health of remaining trees deteriorates. Continued monitoring and management strategies are essential to address the rising severity of greening in Brazil's citrus production.

On September 11, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in collaboration with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), published its crop estimates for the 2026/2027 season. The report specifically focuses on Navel oranges and mandarins, providing essential data on expected yields and market conditions. These estimates are crucial for producers and stakeholders in the California citrus industry as they plan for the upcoming season.

Florida's citrus acreage is declining significantly, with federal data indicating a 21 percent reduction in planted acres for oranges, grapefruit, and specialty fruit. This trend reflects a long-standing contraction in the industry, exacerbated by factors such as storms, disease, and land development pressures. The ongoing loss of citrus land poses challenges for the state's agricultural landscape and the overall citrus market.

Phyllis Nvuda, a Kenyan fruit farmer, faced challenges with pesticide effectiveness against pests in her orchard. In response, she sought alternative methods to combat the infestation, highlighting a growing trend among farmers to explore non-chemical solutions. This shift reflects a broader movement within agriculture to prioritize sustainable practices and reduce reliance on pesticides, emphasizing that spraying should be a last resort.

A startup in Singapore has developed a pilot plant that utilizes discarded orange, lemon, and pineapple peels to create a solvent for recycling lithium-ion batteries. This innovative process successfully recovers approximately 90 percent of valuable metals, including cobalt, lithium, nickel, and manganese, from shredded batteries. The method highlights a novel approach to addressing electronic waste through the fermentation of fruit waste.

The global citrus industry discards millions of tonnes of orange peels annually, which are rich in pectin, essential oils, and polyphenols. Typically, this waste is sent to landfills or used as low-value animal feed. However, recent research highlights the potential of transforming orange peel waste into antioxidant packaging using yeast, suggesting that its chemical properties could be utilized for more innovative applications.

This study assessed the quality, chemical composition, and antimicrobial properties of Citrus peel essential oils (CPEOs) against six pathogens responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs). The research highlights the increasing resistance to conventional antibiotics, emphasizing the necessity for alternative therapies. The findings indicate that CPEOs exhibit significant antimicrobial activity, providing a potential natural solution to combat UTI-causing pathogens effectively.