Botanically a fruit but commercially and regulatorily treated as a vegetable product, tomato juice sits at a classification crossroads that importers should navigate carefully — FDA's juice HACCP rule (21 CFR Part 120) applies to tomato juice, requiring foreign processors to implement documented hazard-analysis plans and achieve the required pathogen-reduction standard. Tomato juice is also subject to FDA's standard of identity under 21 CFR Part 156, which specifies minimum tomato soluble solids content and permissible optional ingredients such as salt, making label compliance a distinct compliance layer beyond HACCP. Salt content and added seasoning can affect both the standard-of-identity classification (tomato juice vs. seasoned tomato juice) and labeling obligations. Importers should verify that foreign suppliers hold current FDA registration and that product specifications align with the applicable US standard of identity before shipment.

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