Utah-grown cherries could be classified as unhealthy

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is the nation’s second-largest producer of tart cherries. However, cherry growers are worried about a proposed re-classification of the fruit.

Utah grows 33 million pounds of cherries annually. When they are dried, sugar is added to help preserve them and boost their sweetness. However, that may cause them to lose their federal designation as healthy.

Curtis Rowley of Cherry Hill Farms said it’s unfair because raisins, another dried fruit, don’t face the same threat.

“[Raisins have] the same amount of sugar as our dried cherries … after we’ve added our sugar,” he said. “It’s the exact same amount. And, that’s why it’s really such a [challenge] because all of a sudden now you’re giving the raisin world a competitive edge.”

Cherries have many health benefits like fighting gout, arthritis, muscle pain and they have vitamins A and C. Producers fear without the healthy label, some products will stop using the cherries.

Rowley said there is bi-partisan support from Utah’s congressional delegation to fight the proposed change.

“Just like farmers always do, they try to figure out a solution,” he said. “So that’s what we’re in the middle of … trying to figure out a solution to keep doing what we love to do.”

Tammy Kikuchi is a reporter and anchor for KSL NewsRadio.

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