Fwd: Almond Pasteurization Information

[Guest guest]

Greetings members:This information was forwarded to me from one of our members who has been corresponding with Wendy V. Larson of Big Tree Organic Farms. “This is a BIG topic. ALL almonds sold after September 1, 2007 must be pasteurized with very limited exception. This is a NEW “outgoing standard” determined by the almond

industry and approved by USDA just this spring. The industry, collectively and working through our Federal Marketing Order (aka the Almond Board of California), has been developing this standard since the second almond related Salmonella illness outbreak back in 2004 (visit www.almondboard.com and review both the Consumer Fact Sheet and the Action Plan links for full details). When the standard goes into effect, Big Tree Organic Farms

will be utilizing the technology available through H2O Express (www.bioreduction.com for more information) to not only meet the pasteurization standard but also more effectively kill the insects and their eggs that usually travel with the almond nut meats from the orchards. This step will be utilized in place of the 2 week post harvest freezing step – which means that our almonds will be ready about 10 days sooner in the harvest season. We

have done some small, in house experiments with our own almonds after they have been through this process. In blind taste tests with some of our grower/owners, no difference could be identified (sensory). We successfully “sprouted” the almonds after the process which leads us to believe that the process is indeed a SURFACE treatment leaving the rest of the almond alive and well, AND we have Lab results showing a marked reduction in Plate Count, Yeast and Mold levels after the process. So we have concluded that this will be a step up in quality for our customers. The Almond Board continues to fund studies of the enzyme activity within an almond pre and post pasteurization for all methods. Regarding irradiation – which is the concern of many when associated with pasteurization - this is a technology that has not even been considered by the Almond industry AND it is not allowed in Organic food production or processing. Regarding chemical pasteurization – yes there is a chemical method of pasteurizing almonds however it is not allowed for Organic food production or processing, therefore it is not even a concern if you are buying NOP compliant, Certified Organic Almonds.” Wendy V. Larson General Manager Big Tree Organic Farms...a grower owned marketing cooperative P. O. Box 736, Turlock, CA 95380 v. 209-669-3678 f. 209-669-3688

Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Games.

[Guest guest]

"newly developed technology"That is enough for me to never eat another almond again.Ozone has been used to prevent meat from spoiling, great now organic almonds are allowed to contain preservatives."antimicrobial activity of gaseous ozone", sounds like it is wonderful stuff to ingest.......Yeah, and fluoride is naturally in water, but guess what happens when you mess with nature and treat your drinking water fluoride.Well, I am looking for an alternative to treated almonds, or almonds in general. So if anyone has some info, send it my way. Thanks.Methyl Bromide - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methyl_bromide--ScottDon't under estimate the wisdom of nature.If man made it, don't eat it.100% Raw Vegan--- shortydemp wrote:"E. Rice-Fells" <shortydemp Group Fwd: Almond Pasteurization InformationWed, 8 Aug 2007 12:14:02 -0700 (PDT)Greetings members:This information was forwarded to me from one of our members who has been corresponding with Wendy V. Larson of Big Tree Organic Farms. “This is a BIG topic. ALL almonds sold after September 1, 2007 must be pasteurized with very limited exception. This is a NEW “outgoing standard” determined by the almondindustry and approved by USDA just this spring. The industry, collectively and working through our Federal Marketing Order (aka the Almond Board of California), has been developing this standard since the second almond related Salmonella illness outbreak back in 2004 (visit www.almondboard.com and review both the Consumer Fact Sheet and the Action Plan links for full details). When the standard goes into effect, Big Tree Organic Farmswill be utilizing the technology available through H2O Express (www.bioreduction.com for more information) to not only meet the pasteurization standard but also more effectively kill the insects and their eggs that usually travel with the almond nut meats from the orchards. This step will be utilized in place of the 2 week post harvest freezing step – which means that our almonds will be ready about 10 days sooner in the harvest season. Wehave done some small, in house experiments with our own almonds after they have been through this process. In blind taste tests with some of our grower/owners, no difference could be identified (sensory). We successfully “sprouted” the almonds after the process which leads us to believe that the process is indeed a SURFACE treatment leaving the rest of the almond alive and well, AND we have Lab results showing a marked reduction in Plate Count, Yeast and Mold levels after the process. So we have concluded that this will be a step up in quality for our customers. The Almond Board continues to fund studies of the enzyme activity within an almond pre and post pasteurization for all methods. Regarding irradiation – which is the concern of many when associated with pasteurization - this is a technology that has not even been considered by the Almond industry AND it is not allowed in Organic food production or processing. Regarding chemical pasteurization – yes there is a chemical method of pasteurizing almonds however it is not allowed for Organic food production or processing, therefore it is not even a concern if you are buying NOP compliant, Certified Organic Almonds.” Wendy V. Larson General Manager Big Tree Organic Farms...a grower owned marketing cooperative P. O. Box 736, Turlock, CA 95380 v. 209-669-3678 f. 209-669-3688 Learn about the power of raw foods at ---> http://www.rawfoods.com