Products
Corporate
About
Contacts
VN
CN
23 Apr, 2026
Dried Fruit Defects: When to Hold or Reject a Batch
Inspect a dried-fruit delivery against the product and packing specification you agreed with the supplier. When you find a suspected safety defect, hold the affected stock and record its lot and carton references before deciding its disposition. This guide separates signs that need investigation from quality differences that can be assessed against an approved sample and written limits.
Content
Why Quality Control Matters in Wholesale Dried Fruit
Before receiving stock, agree the fruit species, cut style, ingredients or treatment, accepted appearance and texture, test methods and lot-release criteria. Record who inspects the shipment, how samples are selected and who can approve, hold or reject it.
Three separate decisions
Match any standard to its product and intended use. Codex CXS 360-2020 has general dried-fruit provisions and product annexes; grape or raisin-specific values are not a substitute for a mango specification.
Three separate decisions
- A suspected contamination or pest issue needs a stock hold and a documented investigation.
- A quality difference needs comparison with the agreed grade, specification and approved reference.
- Missing or inconsistent documents need resolution before release.
Match any standard to its product and intended use. Codex CXS 360-2020 has general dried-fruit provisions and product annexes; grape or raisin-specific values are not a substitute for a mango specification.
Common Physical Defects in Dried Fruit
Suspected mould, fermentation or pests
Hold affected stock, identify the lot and carton marks, photograph the finding and notify the responsible quality person and supplier. Do not clear the stock through tasting or by removing visibly affected pieces. Record the investigation and disposition before release.
Colour and texture
Compare the actual fruit, treatment and cut style with the approved reference. Soft dried mango, crisp freeze-dried pieces and sugar-coated fruit have different expected textures. Uneven colour, sugar crystallisation or stickiness should be recorded and assessed against the specification; they do not by themselves identify a contaminant.
Foreign material
Hold stock containing a sharp or hard foreign object or unexplained contamination. Keep the object and package evidence safely identified, check the affected lot and follow the agreed rejection procedure. Natural skin, stem or pit fragments must be assessed against the product-specific defect criteria.
Hold affected stock, identify the lot and carton marks, photograph the finding and notify the responsible quality person and supplier. Do not clear the stock through tasting or by removing visibly affected pieces. Record the investigation and disposition before release.
Colour and texture
Compare the actual fruit, treatment and cut style with the approved reference. Soft dried mango, crisp freeze-dried pieces and sugar-coated fruit have different expected textures. Uneven colour, sugar crystallisation or stickiness should be recorded and assessed against the specification; they do not by themselves identify a contaminant.
Foreign material
Hold stock containing a sharp or hard foreign object or unexplained contamination. Keep the object and package evidence safely identified, check the affected lot and follow the agreed rejection procedure. Natural skin, stem or pit fragments must be assessed against the product-specific defect criteria.
Chemical and Microbial Checks Before Lot Release
Results need to match the lot
Request the certificate of analysis or test report for the actual product and lot. Check the sample reference, laboratory, test date, method, units and result against the agreed specification and the applicable destination requirements.
Mycotoxins and pesticide residues
A visual check or smell does not establish a mycotoxin or pesticide concentration. If the evidence is missing, inconsistent or outside the agreed criteria, hold release and ask the quality team to resolve the result and sampling basis.
Sulphites and other treatments
Confirm declared ingredients and preservatives, the relevant specification and the report for any required measured parameter. Neither colour nor odour establishes an SO₂ level. Use the actual fruit and treatment when selecting limits; do not copy a raisin or apricot limit into a mango order.
Off-odour or deterioration
Record an unexpected smell or appearance as a finding, with package condition and storage history. Hold suspect stock for assessment rather than treating one sensory observation as a laboratory diagnosis.
Request the certificate of analysis or test report for the actual product and lot. Check the sample reference, laboratory, test date, method, units and result against the agreed specification and the applicable destination requirements.
Mycotoxins and pesticide residues
A visual check or smell does not establish a mycotoxin or pesticide concentration. If the evidence is missing, inconsistent or outside the agreed criteria, hold release and ask the quality team to resolve the result and sampling basis.
Sulphites and other treatments
Confirm declared ingredients and preservatives, the relevant specification and the report for any required measured parameter. Neither colour nor odour establishes an SO₂ level. Use the actual fruit and treatment when selecting limits; do not copy a raisin or apricot limit into a mango order.
Off-odour or deterioration
Record an unexpected smell or appearance as a finding, with package condition and storage history. Hold suspect stock for assessment rather than treating one sensory observation as a laboratory diagnosis.
Best Practices for Packaging and Storage to Prevent Defects
Packaging
Check that the actual pouch or liner, closure and carton match the agreed packing specification. Inspect seals, tears, leaks, condensation and pest evidence, and record the carton and lot references of damaged packs.
Storage
Use the supplier’s product-specific unopened and after-opening storage instructions and declared shelf life. Agree temperature and humidity requirements for that SKU and packaging; do not use one range for soft, conventionally dried and freeze-dried products.
Stock and sampling
Keep lot and date codes readable, rotate by the appropriate expiry dates and retain the agreed inspection records. Protect opened samples and stock from moisture, odours and cross-contamination, using the site’s handling procedure. Compare the received carton marks with the packing list when recording affected stock.
Check that the actual pouch or liner, closure and carton match the agreed packing specification. Inspect seals, tears, leaks, condensation and pest evidence, and record the carton and lot references of damaged packs.
Storage
Use the supplier’s product-specific unopened and after-opening storage instructions and declared shelf life. Agree temperature and humidity requirements for that SKU and packaging; do not use one range for soft, conventionally dried and freeze-dried products.
Stock and sampling
Keep lot and date codes readable, rotate by the appropriate expiry dates and retain the agreed inspection records. Protect opened samples and stock from moisture, odours and cross-contamination, using the site’s handling procedure. Compare the received carton marks with the packing list when recording affected stock.
Quick Reference: Defects and Actions
Use this table to record the first action, the evidence needed and the person responsible for the decision. A hold prevents stock release while a finding is assessed; rejection follows the applicable safety requirements and the agreed lot criteria. Record affected carton marks, observations, photographs or reports, supplier response and the final disposition.
Defect Type
Finding or Evidence
Check to make
Recommended Action
Suspected Mould
Fuzzy, powdery, or thread-like spots; musty smell
Check affected lot, packaging and QC evidence
Hold stock; notify QC and supplier
Discoloration
Dark spots, uneven browning, dullness
Compare with the approved colour range
Assess against specification
Foreign Objects
Sharp/hard foreign object or unexplained material
Identify material and affected stock
Hold lot; follow rejection procedure
Pest Infestation
Holes, larvae, webbing, live/dead insects
Check pest activity and lot extent
Hold stock; notify QC and supplier
Texture Abnormality
Unexpected texture for the agreed SKU
Compare fruit type, treatment and reference
Assess against specification
Mycotoxin Result
Required lot report missing, inconsistent or outside the relevant criterion
Review lot report, method and criterion
Hold release pending QC decision
Pesticide Residue Result
Required lot report missing, inconsistent or outside the relevant criterion
Review lot report and destination criterion
Hold release pending QC decision
Off-odour / Deterioration
Unexpected odour, colour or pack condition
Compare reference, packing and storage history
Hold suspect stock for assessment
Sulphite Specification
Required treatment declaration or test result missing, inconsistent or outside the criterion
Check declaration, lot result and relevant criterion
Hold release pending QC decision
Partner with Trusted Suppliers for Quality Dried Fruit
Agree the product specification, reference sample, packing details and evidence needed for each shipment before placing the order. Ask who investigates a finding, how affected stock is identified and how the release or rejection decision is recorded.
Considering MR.VIET dried fruit for your market? Discuss the fruit format, sales channel and destination with our wholesale team.
Considering MR.VIET dried fruit for your market? Discuss the fruit format, sales channel and destination with our wholesale team.
Read more