From foodconsumer.org
Act Now to Save Raw Almonds
By news release
Apr 16, 2007 - 1:57:55 PM
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In response to two outbreaks of
Salmonella in 2001 and 2004 traced to raw almonds grown in California, the Almond Board of California
and the USDA have quietly developed a new regulation mandating that all almonds
undergo a sterilization process that includes chemical and/or high-temperature
treatments.
The plan is angering many
small-scale farmers, retailers, and consumers. This new rule is
controversial for many reasons. It could force family farms out of
business, ignores the underlying systemic problems with conventional
agriculture that cause food contamination, and is upsetting to consumers
seeking organic and raw foods.
Truth in
Advertising, or Greenwashing Questionable Technology?
While the USDA generously describes
the new almond treatments as
pasteurization, the
most common treatment method expected to be used
fumigates almonds with propylene oxide. In
lab experiments, the chemical leads to gene mutation, DNA strand breaks, and
neoplastic cell transformation.
The
U.S. EPA has classified propylene oxide as a probable human
carcinogen. Its use in treating food for human consumption
is banned in the European Union, Canada,
Mexico,
and most other countries.
Organic Almonds
Might Be Safer but Will Not Be "Raw"
The only exemptions to these new
regulations will be organic “raw” almonds, which will not be fumigated, but
will undergo the steam-heat treatment, and small-scale growers who can sell
truly raw almonds but only direct to the public from farm stands. Almonds that
have heat treatment will
deceptively still be labeled as “raw,” despite
having undergone surface sterilization treatments.
Family Farmers
Could Be Squeezed Out of Business
The costs of the chemical and heat
treatments, in addition to the costs of transporting and recording the new
procedures, will be especially onerous on small-scale and organic
farmers. The equipment to pasteurize almonds is very expensive. A
propylene oxide chamber costs $500,000 to $1,250,000, and a roasting line can
cost as much as $1,500,000 to $2,500,000. Smaller, family-operated handlers
that buy almonds from small, family-owned almond growers and cater to the
organic and natural foods markets, are concerned that they will not be able to
afford such expensive equipment and will be forced out of the almond
business.
Pasteurization?
Unlike milk, eggs, and meats, for
which
real pasteurization or
cooking offers an important protection from food-borne illness, no scientific
evidence exists to show that almonds are an inherently risky food. In fact,
Salmonella contamination of almonds can only occur when livestock manure or
fecal matter is inadvertently transferred
to the nuts through contaminated water, soil, or transportation and handling
equipment. Almonds may also be infected by poor employee sanitation either on
the farm or in processing facilities.
While two outbreaks may bring bad
publicity and economic losses to the almond industry, it does not prove that
almonds are inherently unsafe. Is it justified to impose these onerous
regulations on an entire industry, impacting all consumers, because of two
relatively small outbreaks, one of which has been traced to Paramount Farms, a
giant, industrial-scale farming operation raising 70,000 of acres of nut crops,
that is by no means representative of the industry as a whole?
Rule Status
The rule is set to go into effect on
September 1.
The Cornucopia Institute has formally asked the USDA to re-open the regulatory proceeding
to allow for additional public input and review. Only 18 public comments—all
from the almond industry—were received on the draft rule when it was open for
public comment in early 2007. Unlike consumers, retailers, or other
organizations concerned with food safety, all almond handlers received a
personal letter or fax from the USDA alerting them to the sterilization
proposal and inviting their comments. It's time other stakeholders—consumers
and retailers—have an opportunity to have their voices heard in this
matter.
We urge all
concerned consumers, retailers, and farmers to contact the USDA
and demand that the new rule
mandating “pasteurization” of almonds be re-opened for public comment and
review. Cornucopia has a comprehensive fact sheet on the almond issue on its
web page, and a sample letter for interested individuals to send to the USDA
can be found at http://cornucopia.org/index
.php/238.