EU Dried Fruit Import Requirements: 2026 Compliance Guide

The European Union is an important market for dried mango, dried pineapple, banana, raisins, figs and many other dried fruit products.

For exporters, however, entering the EU market requires more than attractive pricing and consistent quality.

Understanding EU dried fruit import requirements is essential because imported products must comply with European rules covering food safety, pesticide residues, contaminants, food additives, sulphites, traceability, labelling and packaging.

Most dried fruits are considered food of non-animal origin. The majority are not automatically routed through dedicated border control facilities, although certain products and origins may be subject to increased controls when the EU identifies a higher food-safety risk.

For suppliers from Vietnam, compliance therefore starts well before shipment.

1. What General Food Safety Requirements Apply to Dried Fruit?

Food imported into the European Union must meet applicable EU food safety requirements.

For dried fruit exporters, a food safety system should normally cover:

• Raw material inspection
• Washing and preparation
• Drying conditions
• Moisture control
• Hygiene
• Pest prevention
• Foreign-material control
• Storage conditions
• Traceability
• Finished-product testing

Food of non-animal origin is controlled under the EU’s risk-based official control framework. Authorities can carry out documentary, identity and physical checks depending on the level of risk associated with the product and country of origin.

This means that compliance should be built into the production process rather than checked only after the goods are packed.

2. What Contaminant Limits Should Dried Fruit Meet?

Mycotoxins are an important compliance area for dried fruit.

Under Regulation (EU) 2023/915, general dried fruits intended for direct consumption or use as an ingredient are subject to maximum aflatoxin levels of:

Aflatoxin B1: 2.0 μg/kg

Total aflatoxins B1 + B2 + G1 + G2: 4.0 μg/kg

For dried fruits intended to undergo sorting or another physical treatment before being placed on the market, the limits are generally:

Aflatoxin B1: 5.0 μg/kg

Total aflatoxins: 10.0 μg/kg.

The same regulation also sets an ochratoxin A limit of 2.0 μg/kg for other dried fruits, while specific limits apply to categories such as dried vine fruits and dried figs.

Exporters should therefore monitor factors such as raw material condition, moisture, drying efficiency and storage conditions.

3. What Are the EU Rules for Sulphites in Dried Fruit?

Sulphur dioxide and sulphites are commonly used in some dried fruits to help preserve colour and reduce microbial spoilage.

However, their use is regulated.

Under the EU food additive rules, maximum sulphite levels vary according to the type of dried fruit.

Examples include:

Dried fruit category	Maximum sulphites as SO₂
Most dried fruits not otherwise specifically listed	500 mg/kg
Dried apples and pears	600 mg/kg
Dried bananas	1,000 mg/kg
Dried apricots, peaches, grapes, prunes and figs	2,000 mg/kg

These maximum levels are expressed as total SO₂ from all sources.

For products such as dried mango, the general 500 mg/kg category may apply unless another specific classification or product formulation changes the applicable rule.

Importantly, the legal maximum should not be confused with a buyer’s commercial specification.

Many European customers may request substantially lower sulphite levels or even no added sulphites.

For example, a buyer may request:

SO₂ ≤ 200 ppm

even when the applicable legal limit is higher.

This is a commercial specification and should be agreed before production.

4. When Must Sulphites Be Declared as an Allergen?

Sulphur dioxide and sulphites are included among the substances that require allergen-style declaration in EU food labelling.

When the concentration is more than 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/L expressed as total SO₂, sulphites must be declared accordingly.

This is particularly important for dried fruits treated with:

• Sulphur dioxide
• Sodium metabisulphite
• Potassium metabisulphite
• Other permitted sulphite compounds

For retail products, the relevant sulphite ingredient should be clearly identified in the ingredient list.

Exporters offering both with-SO₂ and no-SO₂ products should maintain separate specifications and clear batch identification.

5. What Pesticide Residue Requirements Apply?

Dried fruits imported into the EU must comply with European pesticide Maximum Residue Levels, commonly known as MRLs.

The EU applies the same pesticide residue rules to food produced within the EU and imported products.

Exporters should therefore identify:

• Which pesticides may have been used on the raw fruit
• Applicable MRLs
• Whether processing changes residue concentration
• Buyer-specific testing requirements

Because MRLs can change over time, suppliers should check the current EU database rather than relying only on previous test results.

For regular EU business, pesticide residue testing should be based on a risk assessment reflecting the raw material origin and agricultural practices.

6. What Food Additives Can Be Used in Dried Fruit?

Dried fruit manufacturers may use certain approved additives depending on the product and production method.

These can include:

• Sulphites
• Sorbates
• Citric acid
• Other approved preservatives or processing aids

However, the fact that an additive is generally permitted in food does not automatically mean that it may be used in every dried fruit product at any level.

Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 defines permitted additives and maximum usage levels by food category.

Suppliers should therefore confirm both:

Is the additive permitted for this food category? and What is the maximum permitted level?

This becomes especially important for customized OEM products.

7. What EU Labelling Information Is Required?

Prepacked dried fruit products sold to consumers in the EU must comply with EU food information requirements.

Depending on the product, the label will generally need information such as:

• Name of the food
• Ingredient list
• Allergens
• Net quantity
• Best-before date
• Storage conditions
• Responsible food business operator
• Country of origin where required
• Nutrition declaration
• Instructions where necessary

For dried fruit containing added sugar, sulphites, flavourings or other ingredients, the ingredient declaration should accurately reflect the formulation.

Retail labels must also use a language easily understood by consumers in the destination market.

This is particularly important for OEM/private-label exports.

A package prepared for Germany may therefore require different language artwork from the same product intended for France, Poland or the Czech Republic.

8. What Traceability Requirements Apply?

Traceability is a core principle of EU food law.

Exporters should be able to connect each finished batch to:

Raw material → production lot → drying process → packing lot → quality results → shipment

Useful traceability records include:

• Supplier information
• Raw material lot
• Production date
• Processing records
• Quality inspection results
• Laboratory reports
• Packaging batch
• Shipment number

Strong traceability can significantly reduce the time required to investigate a complaint or food safety incident.

9. What Packaging Requirements Should Dried Fruit Suppliers Consider?

Dried fruit packaging needs to protect the product from moisture, insects, contamination and deterioration throughout storage and transportation.

Common formats include:

• PA/PE bulk bags
• Vacuum packaging
• Retail pouches
• Plastic inner liners
• Cartons
• Private-label packs

Packaging in direct contact with food must comply with relevant EU food-contact material requirements.

In addition, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 — PPWR started applying across the EU from 12 August 2026. The regulation introduces harmonised rules covering packaging sustainability, substances of concern, recyclability and packaging waste.

For exporters supplying EU retail customers, packaging development should therefore consider both:

Food-contact safety

and

PPWR compliance

especially for long-term private-label programmes.

10. Are Dried Fruit Shipments Inspected at the EU Border?

Most food of non-animal origin is not automatically required to enter through dedicated border control facilities.

However, certain products from specific countries can be placed under increased controls when the European Commission identifies risks such as:

• Excess pesticide residues
• Mycotoxins
• Microbiological contamination
• Repeated regulatory non-compliance

The list is maintained under Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 and is regularly updated.

Products listed for increased controls may face:

• Documentary checks
• Identity checks
• Physical inspection
• Laboratory sampling

Some higher-risk categories may also require official certificates and pre-export laboratory results.

Therefore, importers should verify the current status of the specific product + country of origin before each shipment.

11. What Documents Should Dried Fruit Suppliers Prepare?

Exact documentation varies depending on product and destination, but buyers commonly request:

• Product Specification
• Certificate of Analysis
• Pesticide residue report
• Mycotoxin test report where applicable
• Microbiological report
• SO₂ test result for sulphited products
• Allergen statement
• Ingredient declaration
• Food-contact packaging declaration
• Traceability information
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Certificate of Origin when applicable

For retail or OEM products, buyers may additionally request:

• Packaging artwork
• Nutrition information
• Barcode information
• Shelf-life data
• Label compliance review

12. How Can Exporters Reduce EU Compliance Risk?

A reliable dried fruit export programme should include:

1. Raw material control

Understand the origin, agricultural practices and quality of the fresh fruit.

2. Controlled drying

Manage temperature, moisture and hygienic conditions.

3. Chemical control

Monitor pesticides, sulphites and permitted additives.

4. Laboratory testing

Use appropriate testing according to product risk and customer requirements.

5. Traceability

Maintain clear lot records.

6. Packaging compliance

Use suitable food-contact materials and consider PPWR requirements.

7. Documentation review

Check technical and commercial documents before shipment.

8. Buyer specification approval

Do not start mass production until the buyer’s specification has been confirmed.

Conclusion

Understanding EU dried fruit import requirements is essential for suppliers planning to build long-term business with European customers.

The main compliance areas include:

Pesticide residues, mycotoxins, sulphites, food additives, labelling, traceability, food-contact packaging and border controls.

For suppliers, compliance should not be treated as a final paperwork exercise.

It should begin with raw material sourcing and continue through processing, testing, packaging and shipment.

BIGITEXCO supplies dried fruit products from Vietnam, including dried mango, and supports international buyers with bulk supply, customized specifications, OEM/private-label packaging and export documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main EU requirements for dried fruit?

Key areas include food safety, pesticide residues, mycotoxins, sulphite limits, additives, labelling, traceability and compliant packaging.

What is the sulphite limit for dried mango in the EU?

Dried mango generally falls within the dried fruit category for which sulphites may be permitted up to 500 mg/kg expressed as SO₂, subject to the exact classification and formulation. Buyers may set much lower commercial limits.

When must sulphites be declared?

Sulphur dioxide and sulphites must be declared when present above 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/L expressed as total SO₂.

Are all dried fruit shipments inspected at EU borders?

No. Most food of non-animal origin is not automatically subject to mandatory border checks, but selected products and origins may be placed under increased controls based on risk.

Does PPWR apply to dried fruit packaging?

Yes. PPWR applies across the EU from August 2026 and introduces packaging requirements that will phase in over time.