As noted previously, the INC is taking part in a Codex Alimentarius electronic working group tasked with developing a code of practice aimed at preventing and reducing ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in dried fruits, specifically raisins, dried apricots, dried figs, dried dates, and prunes.
In March, the chair of the working group shared the first draft of the code of practice and requested feedback from the members of the working group. The INC submitted comments highlighting opportunities to further strengthen the draft by incorporating some additional practical insights based on real production conditions, as well as a few product-specific considerations.
A second draft of the code of practice will be circulated in May. The group aims to submit its final draft to the Codex Secretariat in July for consideration by the 19th Session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF19) in October 2026.