Türkiye Sets September 28 as First Export Loading Date for 2026 Dried Fig Crop

Türkiye has set September 28, 2026, as the first loading and export date for the new dried fig crop, according to an announcement from the Southeastern Anatolia Exporters’ Associations based on information from the Ministry of Trade’s Aegean Customs and Foreign Trade Regional Directorate. From September 28, member companies and customs brokers will be able […]

UK Moves Forward With Plans to Modernize Food-Safety Regulation

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) Board agreed on September 16, 2026, to move forward with the design of reforms under its Future of Food Regulation program. The proposals are intended to strengthen local enforcement while introducing a more consistent national approach to the oversight of the largest food businesses. The planned model includes improved […]

UK Advances Preparations for Potential UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) published an update on September 15, 2026, on its preparations for a potential UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. The FSA said negotiations between the UK and EU are at an advanced stage while implementation planning, stakeholder engagement and readiness work continue. The FSA is preparing systems, processes and legislative […]

EU Public Consultation on Renewal Procedures for Low-Risk Substances

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on a draft implementing decision that would create a work program that groups and aligns the renewal procedures for seven low-risk active substances (Isaria fumosorosea strain Apopka 97, COS-OGA, cerevisane, Pepino mosaic virus strain CH2 isolate 1906, ferric phosphate, Saccharomyces cerevisae strain LAS02 and Trichoderma atroviride strain […]

Codex to Consider New Code of Practice on Ochratoxin A in Dried Fruits

The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) is preparing to consider the development of a new Code of Practice for the prevention and reduction of ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in dried fruits at its 19th session, scheduled for October 19-23, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt. Codex has also issued a request for comments on the […]

57th Session of the Codex Committee Pesticide Residues (CCPR57)

The INC participated in the CCPR57, held in Beijing, China, from September 7-12, 2026. Discussions and decisions affecting nuts and dried fruits included the following: Bifenthrin: CCPR57 agreed to advance all proposed MRLs for bifenthrin, including 1.5 mg/kg in cranberries, to Step 5/8 for adoption, noting reservations from the EU. Clethodim: The four-year rule that […]

EU Proposes Substantial Reduction of Sulfur Dioxide MLs for Dried Fruits

The European Commission has circulated a draft legal proposal concerning the conditions of use and maximum levels (MLs) for sulfur dioxide/sulfites (E 220-228). The proposal would significantly reduce MLs in several dried fruit categories, including dried apricots (from 2,000 to 1,000 mg/kg) and golden raisins (to 800 mg/kg). For dried figs, the existing 2,000 mg/kg […]

EU Publishes Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for Smaller Companies

On September 21, 2026, the Official Journal of the European Union published a delegated regulation establishing a sustainability reporting standard for voluntary use by certain smaller companies. The voluntary reporting standard provides a single, proportionate reference framework for sustainability reporting by smaller companies outside the scope of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). It is […]

EU Publishes Simplification of Certain Sustainability Reporting Standards

On September 21, 2026, the Official Journal of the European Union published a delegated regulation simplifying certain aspects of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). This regulation amends the existing sustainability reporting standards by reducing the number of datapoints; prioritizing quantitative datapoints over narrative text; further distinguishing between mandatory and voluntary datapoints; providing clear instructions […]