Abbreviation of the Draft Order of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania 
amending the Order of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania  
No. 3D -155 19th April 2006  
on Approval of Quality Requirements for Dried Fruits  
 
Draft Order of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania amending the Order of the 
Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania No. 3D -155 19th April 2006 on Approval of 
Quality Requirements for Dried Fruit s introduces  the new versio n of the Technical Regulation on 
Dried Fruit s (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation) . 
The Regulation  lays down requirements for the quality and commercial presentation of dried fruit s. 
Its provisions are obligatory on all companies of the Republic of Lithuania engaged in the 
production, import and sale of the products specified in this Regulation . The Regulation  also sets 
out a mutual recognition clause, that is, the "Single Market Clause" set out in 2017. December 19th 
See Commission Communication COM  (2017) 787 final.  
The requirements of the Regulation  apply to dried fruit s: apples, pears, pineapples, bananas, 
mangoes, peaches, apricots, plums, dates, figs, grapes, cherries, made from fresh fruits of the design 
species and intended for direct consumption (without additional heat treatment). The Regulation  
defines the concept  of dried fruit s. The Regulation shall not apply to freeze -dried, candied, salted, 
baked, flavoured, fermented or otherwise processed fruit s. 
For the purposes of the Regulation, dried fruit s shall mean fruit s produced from healthy,  sound,  ripe 
fruits, sun -dried or treated by other recognized dehydration  techniques . The fruit s may be treated 
with sulphur  dioxide, sulphites or other permitted preservatives before drying.  
The Regulation sets out the technical requirements for the preparation of raw materials . Dried fruits 
must be produced using clean, healthy fruits suitable for human consumption. They should be 
washed and then dried. If the fruit s are cut, peeled, crushed or similar, these processes are carried 
out after washing the fruit s. The Regulation spec ifies how specific fruits must be prepared before 
drying.  For example, apples  – peeled  or unpeeled, with core or coreless , whole or cut into halves, 
rings , slices or pieces.  
The provisions of the Regulation laying down requirements for the production and  general  quality 
requirements of dried fruit s were drawn up in accordance with 2011 Standard Layout for UNECE 
Standards on Dry or Dried produce. The Regulation provides for the classification  of specific dried 
fruits according to size and allowed defects. The defects allowed must not affect the general 
appearance of the produce as regards quality, keeping quality and presentation in the package.  
Size classes for dried apples, dried pears, dried pineapple, dried bananas, dried mangoes, dried 
peaches, dried g rapes, dried cherries and dried cherries are optional. However, if these dried fruits 
are graded by size, the requirements of the Regulation must be complied with. Sizing of dried 
apricots is mandatory for “Extra Class ” and “Class I”. Classification of figs and prunes by size is 
mandatory. However, size grading of "pressure -pitted prunes" is not obligatory unless they are sold 
in small packages (500 g or less) intended for the consumer.  
The Regulation lays down also specific quality requirements for individual dried fruits.  Moisture 
content indicators are given for each type of dried fruit. 
The Regulation specifies the legislation to be applied to the labelling of dried fruit s. In addition to 
the mandatory requirements laid down by law, the informatio n to be provided on the labelling of 
dried fruit s shall include:  
1) Class of dried fruit s (if the dried fruit s are classified in classes);  
2) maximum moisture content for prunes (if more than 24%), peaches (if more than 20%);  
3) in the labelling of fruit s with high moisture content: dried pears, dried pineapple, dried mango, 
dried apricots and dried figs, the relevant provisions of the Regulation shall apply;  
4) presentation of dried fruit s: peeled or unpeeled (for apples and pears), with or without cores (for 
apples and pears), not cut or cut with indication of the shape (for apples, pears, pineapples, bananas, 2 
 
mangoes, peaches ), with or without pits (for prunes, dates, cherries, sweet cherries), with or without 
seeds (for grapes).  
The Regulation refers to standards for test methods. Some of the test methods are given in the 
Annexes to the Regulation.