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 recommendations, the discussion paper and proposed Code with a deadline of October 5.
The proposed work is directly relevant to the dried-fruit sector because it would provide practical recommendations across primary production, storage, processing, distribution and other stages of the supply chain. The underlying Codex discussion paper—developed by an electronic working group in which the INC has participated as an observer—identifies dried figs, dried vine fruits such as raisins, sultanas and currants, dried apricots, dates and prunes among the products for which OTA occurrence and trade data have been examined.
Current approaches are not fully harmonized. The discussion paper notes that the EU applies an OTA maximum level of 8 µg/kg to dried figs and 2 µg/kg to other dried fruits, while Türkiye, Brazil and Egypt apply a 10 µg/kg limit to dried fruits. Codex currently has no specific Code of Practice dedicated to preventing and reducing OTA contamination across the dried-fruit category.
If the new work moves forward, a Codex Code of Practice could become an important international reference for growers, processors, exporters, importers and regulators. For the nut and dried fruit industry, the initiative is particularly significant because it could influence production and handling practices, food-safety controls and the longer-term harmonization of requirements affecting international trade.
