Tree Trunk Injection has Effect and Schweppes Enters RTD Alcoholic Market

Between all the negative news for citrus in general, I am always happy to see the spirited stories that keep the narrative positive. And when the research is backing that certain solutions do have impact… we need to stay positive and look/move forward.

Happy weekend!

Juice News 🧃

FDA's focus on synthetic dyes and chemicals could overshadow other obligations

The chance “is close to zero” that synthetic dyes will be fully removed from the US food supply by the end of next year, as suggested by FDA and HHS last week, because there is “no hammer” to force reformulation, said former FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones.

Likewise, the current administration’s fixation on chemical safety and dyes could threaten FDA’s ability to execute other core functions – including detecting and preventing food-borne illness outbreaks – and initiatives, such as implementation of the new definition of ‘healthy,’ added Jones in a wide-ranging fireside chat at the DC chapter of IFT’s Food Policy Impact earlier this week.

UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe statement in response to SAFE’s article on a study analysing sucrose consumption from beverages in mice

UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe has reviewed the study cited in SAFE’s article and identified several inaccuracies in the way SAFE presented the findings. UNESDA believes these inaccuracies should be clarified to ensure the accurate communication of science to enhance public understanding.

Proposed wildfire funding bill could impose additional beverage container tax

A proposed bill from State Representatives aims to fund long-term wildfire prevention and mitigation. The catch is an additional 5-cent tax on beverage containers.

The 5-cent tax would be in addition to the 10-cent deposit on cans and bottles established in the Bottle Bill. Unlike the deposit, the 5-cent tax would not be refundable, as the funds would be directed towards wildfire prevention and mitigation.

Schweppes enters the RTD (alcoholic) market

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has introduced a new line of Schweppes Mix ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails in the UK. Schweppes Mix Gin Twist and Paloma Bliss are now available nationwide in the UK

Schweppes’ entry into the alcoholic beverage market is part of CCEP’s expanding portfolio of pre-mixed cocktails, which includes partnerships with Absolut Vodka, Bacardi Rum, and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.

Citrus News 🍊

[up-close] Fifth-generation citrus farmer forges path forward

The only thing greater than a child’s joy in discovery is a parent’s pleasure in witnessing it. And in a house where oranges serve as toys and orange juice reigns supreme, one Florida farmer is seeing her family’s work in the citrus industry through new eyes — those of her toddler son, Lee.

“I think how lucky I am to get to be a part of this and grow oranges that bring people together, working hard to keep Florida what it is and what it’s known for,” said Morgan McKenna Porter. “I’ve always grown up with a passion for Florida citrus and want to make sure it has a future.”

Florida citrus production drops as growers battle weather, disease to survive

In addition to hurricanes, drought has plagued Florida, where 82% of the state is in drought with 16% in extreme drought. "It's been bone dry down here for the past two months. We've received 1 inch of rain, and that was over a month ago. So we're hoping and waiting for some rain."

However, the weather is not the only factor farmers like Murphy have to contend with. One factor in particular has caused the number of boxes harvested to plummet from about 133 million in earlier years. 

India access offers hope for Brazilian citrus, but challenges await

Parth Karvat, director of Mumbai-based importer Yupaa, points out that “access is different to success”. And he warns that Brazil will face stiff competition from other import sources.

“I’m not sure on what will the FOB prices be for Brazilian citrus to be competitive in the Indian market, because the freight is going to be definitely much higher than South African, Chinese and Egyptian ports, which are currently dominating the Indian market,” he tells Fruitnet.

The government supports the export of Moroccan citrus fruits with 1,000 dirhams per ton until 2028

A joint decision was published in the latest issue of the official gazette by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, and the Minister of Finance responsible for the budget, outlining the mechanisms and amount of financial support the state will provide to boost and develop the export of fresh Moroccan citrus.

According to this decision, Moroccan exporters of fresh citrus fruits will receive a financial subsidy of 1,000 dirhams per ton exported to European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. This support excludes the “Nadorcott mandarin” variety.

Research Worth Reading 🔬

Chemical diversity and correlation analysis of volatiles from Citrus peels: Evaluation of toxicity, antioxidant and microbial inhibition efficacy

Significant antimicrobial and antioxidant effect of these peel essential oils was attributed mainly due to the synergistic potential of monoterpenoid volatiles present in the oils viz. limonene, γ-terpineol, neral, geranial, geraniol and citronellal. Results pointed out the low toxicity, high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of essential oils from selected Citrus variants have the potential to treat oxidative damage and microbial infections.

Reducing astringency and improving the nutritional quality of cashew apple juice by applying ultrasound and cold plasma technologies

Non-thermal processing can effectively reduce astringency and improve the flavor of cashew apple juice by adjusting its sweetness and sugar-to-acid ratio. The choice of technology and processing conditions significantly influences the outcomes.

Managing endemic huanglongbing in commercial citrus production through vascular delivery of oxytetracycline

Here we assess the efficacy of OTC injections to mitigate HLB in a commercial citrus orchard in Florida over two production cycles. Nine-year-old ‘Valencia’ orange (Citrus sinensis) trees were injected with two rates of OTC in May 2022 and 2023 using two different injection methods and compared against non-injected trees. Regardless of the method, OTC injection significantly improved fruit yield and juice quality.