During the upcoming holiday season, there is a greater demand for dried fruits and nuts. At the same time, precisely in this category of products lurks the risk of chemical contamination such as: heavy metals and mycotoxins, which, although invisible to the eye, can have serious consequences for the health of consumers and the reputation of producers.
Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, inorganic arsenic and mercury are found in raw materials primarily from soil and water, where they are present in traces, but sometimes in significant concentrations. They can also originate from industrial emissions, historical contamination of agricultural land or improper waste management in crop growing areas. The risk in producing dried fruits and nuts is higher when:
– raw materials originate from areas with elevated environmental pollution
– new suppliers are not regularly screened for heavy metal content
The drying process additionally causes an increase in the concentration of these contaminants, which can lead to exceeding safety standards in the final product. That is why supplier assessment, testing of raw materials upon receipt and periodic checks are a key element of real risk management.
Mycotoxins are harmful secondary metabolites generated by molds developing on plant raw materials under inadequate cultivation, drying or storage conditions. For dried fruits and nuts, aflatoxins, especially aflatoxin B1, produced by Aspergillus species such as A. flavus and A. parasiticus, and ochratoxin A produced by fungi of the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera, are of particular concern.
The development of mycotoxins most often occurs when:
• nuts or fruits ripen or remain in the field under conditions that promote excessive moisture,
• the drying process is carried out too slowly or at unsuitable temperatures,
• raw materials are stored for extended periods in silos or warehouses with high humidity,
• water vapor condensation occurs in transport containers and bulk packaging.
Dried fruits and nuts often pass through a long supply chain, often involving cultivation outside the EU, long transport and mixing of ingredients from different sources. Because of this, mycotoxin levels depend on everyone involved—from farmers and storage facilities to distributors, so not just the final producer.
A common feature of heavy metals and many mycotoxins is that the negative health effect is the result of long-term exposure to low doses, not a single high exposure. From the manufacturer’s perspective, this implies the need for continuous control, not just a one-time check.
The content of chemical contaminants in food, including dried fruit and nuts, is regulated primarily by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 and its subsequent amendments and additions. This document defines maximum permitted levels for, among others: heavy metals and certain mycotoxins by food group.
In the Republic of Serbia, the Regulation on maximum concentrations of certain contaminants in food (Official Gazette of RS No. 73/2024, 90/2024, 47/2025, 61/2025, 103/2025) defines this issue.
In the area of heavy metals, the limits for cadmium and lead in stone fruits, oilseeds, dried fruits, cocoa and cereal products are particularly important. Regulations differentiate values depending on the type of raw material.
Regarding mycotoxins, the regulation defines, among other things, the permitted levels of aflatoxin B1 and the sum of aflatoxins in stone fruit and dried fruit intended for direct consumption, as well as special limits for raw materials subject to sorting or other physical processing. A similar situation applies to ochratoxin A in dried fruits and stone fruits, where different limits are set for raw materials than for finished products available in stores.
When developing the quality specification for raw materials and finished products, it is crucial to always refer to the up-to-date regulations and its annexes, as the limit values may change with new risk assessments.
The analysis of heavy metals requires highly sensitive methods capable of detecting trace concentrations in complex matrices such as nuts or dried fruit blends. In practice, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) are most commonly used, as they allow the simultaneous determination of multiple elements within a single sample. In SP Laboratorija, heavy metals are tested using ICP/MS and mycotoxins are analyzed using mainly liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
Prior to instrumental analysis, careful sample preparation is essential. Obtaining a homogeneous and representative sample is particularly crucial for heterogeneous products like mixed nuts and dried fruits, ensuring that the analytical results accurately reflect the contamination level of the entire product batch.
For manufacturers, importers, and retail chains, laboratory test results are more than figures in a report—they are practical tools for risk management and a means of gaining competitive advantage. They allow companies to:
– verify product safety and compliance with legal requirements,
– monitor process consistency and stability over time,
– rapidly identify the source of non-compliance (raw materials, storage, or transport) and implement corrective actions,
– demonstrate to customers and business partners a genuine commitment to food safety, rather than a purely declarative one.
In the dried fruit and nut sector—particularly during the holiday season—regular testing for heavy metals and mycotoxins goes beyond formal compliance. It represents an investment in consumer confidence, brand reputation, and the ability to enjoy holiday moments without concern.
SP Laboratorija provides accredited testing of heavy metals and mycotoxins in dried fruits, nuts, and other food products, supporting producers in meeting regulatory requirements and delivering safe, high-quality products.
Company details
VAT: 104076691
Registration No: 20074795
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