When you eat an almond, no matter where you live in the U.S., you are eating one grown in California. If you are in another country, there's a 75 percent chance the almonds you eat come from the golden state.
Are you aware, though, that raw almonds grown in California are either heat pasteurized or gassed with the fumigant, propylene oxide? In 2007, the USDA published the rule requiring raw almonds grown California, including organically grown almonds, to be pasteurized or gassed. California farmers produce 100 percent of the almonds grown in the U.S. California almonds make up 75 percent of the world's almond supplies.
Read more about the health benefits of almonds and other snacks
The Almond Board of CA asked the USDA for the rule because of salmonella outbreaks in 2001 and 2004. A total of 100 people in Canada were sickened in 2001, and 29 people in the U.S. and Canada in 2004. One person died in 2004. The 2004 outbreak was traced back to Paramount Farms, the largest almond and pistachio supplier in the world, but the source of the salmonella was never found.
California almond growers filed a lawsuit in 2008 that challenged the USDA rule. The court ruled that the growers could not sue the USDA. The almond growers filed an appeal, and the court ruled that the USDA has the authority to require the almonds to be pasteurized under a 1935 law that requires produce grown by U.S. farmers to be processed before sold. The growers again filed an appeal, and the court ruled that the growers have a right to challenge the USDA. The USDA filed an appeal, and last month a three judge panel of the U.S. court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. heard arguments. A decision is expected by spring.
Read more about the USDA Organic Program
You Can Help California Almond Growers
Legal battles such as the one that California almond growers are waging against the USDA rule are costly. The Cornucopia Institute lists ways that you can help, including donating to the organization, Action for Almonds, which is helping fund the legal challenge. You can also contact your congressional members, and use the downloadable sample letter provided by The Cornucopia Institute. Lastly, you can contact retailers and ask them to support the legal challenge. If they need more information, have them contact [email protected].
Photo credit: HealthAliciousNess
