The Florida Senate

601.19  Oranges; maturity standards.--

(1)  During that period of time beginning with August 1 of each year and ending with October 31 of the same year, both dates inclusive, oranges shall be deemed to be mature only when each orange, after having been clipped, picked, or otherwise severed from the tree, shows a break in color, with yellow color predominating on not less than 50 percent of the fruit's surface in the aggregate, except that oranges of the Parson Brown variety need show only such a break in color on not less than 25 percent of the fruit's surface in the aggregate; when the total soluble solids of the juice of the sample thereof is not less than 9 percent; when the ratio of total soluble solids of the juice of the sample thereof to the anhydrous citric acid is as set forth in s. 601.20; when the juice of the sample contains not less than 0.4 percent of anhydrous citric acid; and when the juice content of said orange sample is in an amount not less than at the rate of 4¹/₂ gallons of juice per standard-packed box.

(2)  During that period of time beginning with November 1 of each year and ending with November 15 of the same year, both dates inclusive, oranges shall be deemed to be mature only when each orange, after having been clipped, picked, or otherwise severed from the tree, shows a break in color, with yellow color predominating on not less than 50 percent of the fruit's surface in the aggregate, except that oranges of the Parson Brown variety need show only such a break in color on not less than 25 percent of the fruit's surface in the aggregate; when the total soluble solids of the juice of the sample thereof is not less than 8.7 percent; when the ratio of total soluble solids of the juice of the sample thereof to the anhydrous citric acid is as set forth in s. 601.20; when the juice of the sample contains not less than 0.4 percent of anhydrous citric acid; and when the juice content of said orange sample is in an amount not less than at the rate of 4¹/₂ gallons of juice per standard-packed box.

(3)  During that period of time beginning with November 16 of each year and ending with July 31 of the following year, both dates inclusive, oranges shall be deemed to be mature only when each orange, after having been clipped, picked, or otherwise severed from the tree, shows a break in color, with yellow color predominating on not less than 25 percent of the fruit's surface in the aggregate; when the total soluble solids of the juice of the sample thereof is not less than 8.5 percent; when the ratio of the total soluble solids of the juice of the sample thereof to the anhydrous citric acid is as set forth in s. 601.20; when the juice of the sample contains not less than 0.4 percent of anhydrous citric acid; and when the juice content of said orange sample is in an amount not less than at the rate of 4¹/₂ gallons of juice per standard-packed box. If in any particular shipping season it shall appear to the Department of Citrus, after a public hearing held not earlier than October 5 and called and held to determine such question, that oranges are then maturing earlier than normally as herein defined in this section, then the Department of Citrus may by order, rule, or regulation to be issued or promulgated and to become effective not later than October 10, declare and provide that during that period of time beginning with August 1 and ending with October 16, both dates inclusive, oranges meeting all other maturity standards shall be deemed to be mature when the total soluble solids of the juice of the sample thereof is not less than 9 percent, and during that period of time beginning with October 17 and ending with October 31, both dates inclusive, oranges meeting all other maturity standards shall be deemed to be mature when the total soluble solids of the juice of the sample thereof is not less than 8.7 percent, and during that period of time beginning with November 1 and ending July 31 of the following year, both dates inclusive, oranges meeting all other maturity standards shall be deemed to be mature when the total soluble solids of the juice of the sample thereof is not less than 8.5 percent.

(4)  However, from December 1 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 thereof is not less than 8 percent and when the minimum ratio of the total soluble solids of the juice thereof to the anhydrous citric acid is as set forth in s. 601.20, with no minimum requirement as to juice content, acid, or color break.

History.--s. 19, ch. 25149, 1949; s. 8, ch. 71-186; s. 3, ch. 96-228.