Commodity Specification for Dried Fruits October 2026

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has issued a special notice for the Commodity Specification for Dried Fruits, effective October 2026, under solicitation number 12-3J14-Notice-26-025. This document consolidates all dried fruit products into a single specification, including individual fruits such as apples, apricots, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, dates, figs, plums, and processed raisins, as well as specific dried fruit and nut mixes. All products must be 100% domestic product of the United States and generally meet U.S. Grade B standards. Key updates include clarified inspection language, nutritive sweetener information, and updated grading standards and MIFB-D language. Contractors are responsible for all inspection costs and must provide USDA inspectors with at least seven days' advance notice for scheduling. Products cannot be shipped until a USDA Inspector certifies the lot as acceptable, and inspections must occur within 12 months of shipment. Strict packaging and marking requirements are mandated, including the use of new corrugated fiberboard secondary containers labeled Store in a Cool Dry Place and the application of Universal Product Codes. Specific shipping requirements apply to offshore destinations like Puerto Rico and Hawaii, which require refrigerated containers. Compliance is critical, as falsification of information may lead to penalties under Title 18, Section 1001 of the U.S. Code, or suspension and debarment.