Almond pasteurization update

[Guest guest]

Good morning!

 

At the moment I have no great news to share, but may have some in the

next couple weeks. All almonds grown in California, destined for the

US, Mexico, and Canada are still destined to be pasteurized.

 

Cornucopia.org is fighting for the organic almond farmers to get this

ruling reversed. Currently the ruling is due to start on September 1,

2007. Many in the raw food movement are also fighting this ruling in

an effort to get it reversed. Even raw foodists from other countries

are helping to educate people and encourage them to write, call, and

sign petitions, etc.

 

A couple months ago I sent out a letter to members of the Almond

Board of California, the ACLU, Congress members, Whole Foods, etc., etc.

 

Yesterday I sent out a physical press release with a button attached.

There were about 50 sent to the above, as well as a variety of major

media shows and networks (ABC, NBC, Oprah, etc.) Last night I

released an official press release (below).

 

Tonight (Thursday night) I sent out about 3,000 emailed press

releases to: the Almond Board, Governor Schwarzenegger, etc. along

with thousands of contacts in the media (TV, radio, print, and online).

 

Please let me know if you come across and media coverage on the

topic. If you come across any, feel free to respond to the media.

 

There are online petitions to sign. On my web site (below) there is

contact information for the Almond Board, among others. Please write/

call/email the board and it's staff. Ask them to leave our raw

organic almonds alone.

 

Thanks,

 

Jeff

 

 

 

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/8/prweb544279.htm

 

For immediate release:

 

What Would Jesus Pasteurize?

 

Mandatory almond pasteurization restricts consumer rights and

religious freedom!

 

 

Seattle, WA August 2, 2007 - As of September 1, 2007, all almonds

produced in California, which are destined for the U.S., Canada, and

Mexico will be required to undergo pasteurization, or at least that

is the ruling passed by the Almond Board of California with the

backing of the USDA. Raw foodists around the world depend on a

reversal of this ruling and followers of the Essene teachings may

face giving up one of their staples.

 

The basic reason for this exercise in control over citizen's food is

two separate incidents of salmonella poisoning found in raw almonds

over the last six years. These incidents involved conventional

almonds, not organic almonds. Even though no incidents of salmonella

poisoning have been reported from organic raw almonds, the Almond

Board has decided that they, too, should be pasteurized. So, while

there has been no evidence that raw organic almonds are susceptible

to salmonella poisoning, the Almond Board is taking away the major

source of one of raw foodists' staples.

 

Another problem with this ruling is that the pasteurized almonds will

not be required to be labeled as pasteurized. Consumers may see

pasteurized almonds labeled only as “raw” almonds. If the pasteurized

almonds are not labeled as “pasteurized”, this will be misleading to

consumers and removes the public's ability to make informed decisions.

 

If there were a lot of other sources of raw almonds, this ruling

might not be as serious an issue. However, California happens to be

the only U.S. state commercially growing almonds. In addition,

California grows about 80% of the world’s almonds, according to the

Almond Board of California website.

 

If this ruling is not reversed, consumers may unwillingly consume

pasteurized almonds. Some raw foodists may become ill as a result and

they may have to decide between ending a 100% raw diet and ending

their consumption of almonds. A better option may be to help the

Almond Board “see the light” regarding raw organic almonds. It is not

September yet, and consumers need to know both sides of the story.

 

Citizens of the United States have the freedom to follow the religion

of their choice. This may sound strange when discussing the topic of

almond pasteurization. Most pasteurization is a form of cooking.

There are, in the Essene teachings, quotes from Jesus (Yashua) that

state “…prepare not your foods with the fire of death, which kills

your foods, your bodies and your souls also.” Many who follow the raw

food diet can understand why Jesus would say such a thing. People

have experienced improved, even amazing, health as a result of not

cooking their food. Because followers of the Essene teachings, which

include eating raw foods, may no longer be able to purchase almonds

in their raw state, this ruling is actually treading on their

religious rights! The Almond Board may be replacing a raw staple with

a pasteurized one. If the Essene followers are unable to find other

truly raw sources of almonds, they either turn their backs on the

teachings or stop eating the almonds. How can this happen in the U.S.?

 

This aspect of the almond controversy is addressed on a new website.

You may have heard of “What Would Jesus Do?” How about http://

WhatWouldJesusPasteurize.com? There is compelling information on this

site about the almond issue and the resulting religious implications.

The site also tells visitors some of the things they can do to

reverse this ruling. If consumers wish to retain their right to

choose raw foods and citizens wish for us all to maintain our

religious freedoms, they should act now.

 

Raw foodists around the world are doing their best to get this ruling

reversed. In the mean time, stock up on your raw almonds… while they

are still raw!

 

Contact:

Jeff Rogers

206-547-8224

http://WhatWouldJesusPasteurize.com

pr

 

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