The United Kingdom’s National Monitoring Plan for imported foods for 2026/27 identifies nuts and dried fruits as priority categories for food-safety monitoring. The plan, updated on September 9, applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Aflatoxin monitoring is ranked as high priority for nuts and seed products, with the following products mentioned under the specific sampling guidance: almonds (including ground/flour) particularly from Australia and the US; peanuts (including spreads/flour) particularly from Türkiye; Brazil nuts; pistachios particularly from the US (also imported via Türkiye); hazelnuts, walnuts, other tree nuts and mixed nuts, nut spreads and butters. Under the fruit and vegetables category, dried figs are mentioned as a high priority for aflatoxin monitoring.
Monitoring for E. coli and Salmonella is ranked as high priority for nuts and seed products, with nut spreads mentioned under the specific sampling guidance.
Monitoring for Salmonella, E. coli, Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes in fruits and vegetables is listed as a high priority, with dried grapes particularly from Türkiye and dried dates mentioned under the specific sampling guidance.
Monitoring for ochratoxin A in fruits and vegetables is ranked as a medium priority, with raisins particularly from Uzbekistan and dried figs particularly from Türkiye mentioned under the specific sampling guidance.
