NFC juice, meaning not-from-concentrate juice, is pasteurised fruit juice that has never been concentrated, retaining a flavour profile closer to fresh fruit and commanding a premium position in EU retail and food service markets.
In trade practice
Because NFC juice is never reduced and reconstituted, its Brix value reflects the natural soluble-solids content of the source fruit, which varies by harvest and variety. Buyers require suppliers to declare the fruit origin, variety and harvest season, as these directly affect flavour consistency. NFC juice must be distributed under chilled conditions or packed aseptically for ambient shelf life; failure to maintain the cold chain is the most common cause of quality complaints. EU fruit juice rules govern labelling and minimum Brix requirements.
In a specification
A specification for NFC juice states the fruit variety or blend, minimum and maximum Brix at single strength, pasteurisation conditions and packaging format, whether chilled or aseptic.