Dried fruit (date, raisin, jujube…)

Dried fruits are usually high-value products used primarily for snack foods or as confectionery ingredients. Marketing of these products requires great attention to quality control.

There are many insects that might infest dried fruits either in the field or during storage. Infestations cause direct damage through feeding and by contaminating the product with excreta, webbing and exuvia, therewith creating losses in appearance and quality. This lowers or completely destroys the market value. Insects might inoculate yeast into the product which could turn sour. Insect feeding damage may also provide entry to aflatoxin-producing molds (Aspergillus spp.).

The presence of any live insects greatly impacts trade, particularly to foreign markets.

EcO2 has developed the Controlled Atmosphere technique for the treatment of dried fruits. This effective method is suitable for treating all storage pests without the risk of pesticide resistance or residues on the product.