Excerpt from the report Summary: Consumer packages of dried apricots, prunes, figs, and raisins were collected in retail stores and compared with samples that were obtained from packers and held under desirable storage conditions. The comparisons were made to determine the types and extent of deterioration of quality during marketing. Seven percent of the apricot samples obtained in retail stores, 11 percent of the prune samples, 13 percent of the raisin samples, and 17 percent of the fig samples showed that they had reached an undesirable quality level. The most prevalent type of deterioration was darkening of the flesh and loss of flavor. Aging caused most of the deterioration observed. Inadequate packaging and high store temperatures also contributed to deterioration.