The Authentic Almond Project
California-grown raw almonds are no longer raw, following enactment of a new federal rule. The USDA mandate requires raw almonds to be sanitized through treatment processes that the industry generously describes as “pasteurization.”
The rule permits “pasteurization” of almonds with a toxic fumigant or treatment with high-temperature heat. The scheme imposes significant financial burdens on small-scale and organic growers, lacks scientific justification, damages domestic almond markets, and does not address the unsustainable methods used on the industrial-scale almond orchards where the only two Salmonella outbreaks have occurred. And the treated almonds can still be deceptively labeled as “raw!”
Click here to read the full news story on this issue.
And click here to read an end-of-year update from Cornucopia on the challenge to the almond pasteurization rule.
The Cornucopia Institute has prepared a comprehensive fact sheet detailing the broad range of problems and concerns associated with the USDA’s almond pasteurization plan.
- Click here to view the Almond Fact Sheet.
We need you to contact the USDA and key elected officials now to stop this plan.
- Click here to view our Action Alert for steps you can take to save our almonds.
- Click here to send a Letter to acting USDA Secretary Chuck Conner.
- Click here to view a Sample Letter to key elected officials who can help us get the USDA to listen to the public.
SPECIAL NOTE: Your financial contribution is voluntary but as a public-interest charity we hope you will support this campaign that protects the livelihood of small and medium size family almond growers and fights for the right of consumers to choose authentic and, truly fresh food in the marketplace. Please click on the Donate link on Cornucopia’s navigation bar if you are interested in making a donation from our secure webpage.