Pasteurized Almonds
Dear Jess, I heard that almonds are now required to be pasteurized. Can that possibly be true? -AS
Yes. It is true. Starting September 1, 2007, it will no longer be legal to manufacture and sell 100% raw almonds in the United States. Due to a mandate passed by the USDA, FDA and the California Almond Board ALL almonds, organic and conventional, grown in the US will be required to be pasteurized. Note that these almonds will still be labeled as raw!
The mandatory pasteurization program requires that almond handlers achieve a dramatic reduction in the amount of Salmonella (technically, a 4-log reduction is the standard) by one of these methods:
1) Expose almonds to high heat or steam pasteurization sufficient to raise the temperature of the almond kernel to 200 degrees F.
2) Fumigate the almonds with propylene oxide gas.
While both of these methods may well decrease the risk of contaminated almonds from reaching the market place, here’s the flip side:
• The steam-heat process will result in an unwanted loss of nutrients greatly decreasing the amazing health benefits of almonds.
• The exposure to propylene oxide would likely leave a residue on the gassed almonds. Keep in mind, propylene oxide is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a probable human carcinogen.
This law stems from two isolated outbreaks of salmonella poisoning since 2001 in conjunction with conventional almond farms. I have not been able to find any outbreaks associated with organic almonds.
Almond growers can receive exemption from these requirements if their ordinary manufacturing process (such as dry roasting or blanching) can achieve the same reduction in Salmonella bacteria OR if they sell their raw almonds directly to customers at local markets (with a limit of 100 pounds per person per day, in case you wondered).
So, in less than 10 days, the only way to purchase 100% raw organic almonds will be directly from your local grower (if you happen to live in California) OR from a certified organic almond grower outside the US who exports almonds to this country (which, in itself, is an unsustainable practice – moving food takes lots of energy).
I believe these outbreaks, as well as other dangerous bacterial outbreaks in melons, spinach, and beef (to name just a few), are a just symptom of a bigger problem of unsustainable agricultural practices. Current conventional agriculture (of plants and animals) creates an environment that potentially breeds dangerous bacteria. Reactively irradiating, fumigating and pasteurizing our foods to kill the bacteria that are present due to poor agricultural practices are not the answers. We must proactively clean up the way our food is produced to avoid the problem altogether and to ensure a safe AND nutritious food supply.
I encourage you to be informed about what is happening to your food supply and to take action where you can. Below is a link to further information on the new almond pasteurization law and a petition to sign if you are so inclined.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/mandatory-almond-pasteurization-is-wrong.html
Action begets hope.
Here’s to hope-
Jess
