Orange juice, a rebuttal

A week and half ago I wrote an article called “Orange juice not as black and white as you think,” which focused on an interview in which author Alissa Hamilton claimed that 100 percent natural orange juice is not as “fresh” as people think.

Then, last Thursday, the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) e-mailed me with a response. The relevant parts are below:

Orange juice is one of America’s healthiest morning beverages and is purchased by nearly 70 percent of American households. People choose orange juice for its great taste and nutrition profile. You included Professor Popkin’s statement that most fruit juices are just sugary beverages. It’s important to note that shelved right alongside 100 percent orange juice are various fruit “ades,” “cocktails” and “drinks” that look healthy but contain very little 100 percent fruit juice and lots of added sugar.

By comparison, one 8-ounce glass of 100 percent orange juice delivers essential vitamins and nutrients to support good health and counts as almost 25 percent of the USDA-recommended daily fruit and vegetable servings, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Research shows orange juice is more nutrient rich than many commonly consumed 100 percent fruit juices, such as apple, grape, pineapple and prune. 

Orange juice is processed in strict compliance with all USDA and FDA regulations. By utilizing state-of-the-art technology, we’re able to provide people across the country with a consistent supply of high quality, nutritious orange juice year round. 

So I e-mailed Hamilton the FDOC’s response and asked her thoughts.