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Dreamt Illusions
07-27-2007, 04:58 PM
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/mandatory-almond-pasteurization-is-wrong.html

I stumbled upon this the same day I finally went out and bought some raw almonds. They are SO much better than toasted almonds!

Mandatory Almond Pasteurization is WRONG!!!
15094 Signatures

Created by Seth Leaf on Apr 03, 2007
Category: Consumer Affairs
Region: United States of America
Target: The Health Food Industry, National Media and Organic Farming Industry.
Web site: http://www.livingnutz.com
Description/History:
Starting in August or September of 2007, raw almonds available in the USA, Canada and Mexico, will no longer be "truly raw" due to a mandate passed by the USDA, FDA and the California Almond Board, announcing that all almonds including organic must be pasteurized. Information is available at the following link:

Action Plan and Pasteurization - Frequently Asked Questions

The problem is the law has been passed with little public input(if any) or notification whatsoever. In addition all pasteurized almonds available in the marketplace will still be labeled as raw almonds. Can this be considered fraudulence or an out right lie? Are you willing to give up your food freedom choices?

The primary reasons for passing this law are two isolated outbreaks of salmonella, in conjunction with conventional almond farms a few years ago. To the best of our knowledge no salmonella outbreaks have EVER been associated with organic almonds.

Within the past 10 years tomatoes, spinach, green onions, peanuts, grapes, melons, lettuce, and sprouts have all been linked to salmonella outbreaks. Does that mean we should eliminate all fresh produce? Absolutely not!!!

Almonds, the heartbeat of all nuts, literally, have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease, a rich source of calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, protein, fiber and antioxidants to name a few . These amazing and life enhancing health benefits, will be devastatingly reduced if not completely eliminated in the pasteurization process. Three of the potential suggested methods of pasteurization are:

-Propylene oxide(PPO) fumigation(propylene oxide was also used as an insecticidal fumigant till 1988 when its registration was terminated. California prop.65 rates PPO as a carcinogen. Cited from www.mbow.org)

-High heat(which degrades the integrity of the nuts and enzyme structure).

-Steam pasteurization (will also further devalue the nutrients, enzyme activity and antioxidants.)

This is a call to all those who care about their health, we need to join forces by bringing this to the attention of everyone from the mass media to the common consumer before it goes any further than almonds! It is our basic right to choose unprocessed foods! We have created a petition that we will present to the California Almond Board, the FDA and the USDA. Go to www.livingnutz.com and click on the almond pasteurization petition link on the front of our page and sign your name as well as your state, town, and zipcode. E-mail us at info@livingnutz.com with any other questions, media relations, ideas or information you may have relevant to this cause.

PLEASE LINK THIS PETITION TO YOUR YOUR SITE see link at the bottom of the page.

beppa66
07-27-2007, 06:16 PM
Or you can email them at: Mike.Johanns@usda.gov

Dear Secretary Johans,
I am against the Agricultural Marketing Service Rule published March 30, 2007, regarding the treatment of raw almonds. The mandated treatment will change the quality of almonds as raw or living foods.

I want to choose what kind of almond I buy, and this rule removes this important choice. Consumers, small suppliers, and small growers were not effectively notified during the comment period, and therefore had no meaningful chance to be heard. This ruling could force family farms out of business, ignores the underlying
systemic problems with conventional agriculture that cause food contamination, and is an outrage to consumers who choose raw organic raw almonds for their health and flavor benefits.

I request that this rule be modified to allow consumers the choice to purchase RAW organic almonds. Consumers have the right to this choice!

Thank you,
Your name & full address

Stina
07-27-2007, 06:27 PM
Thanks Beppa66; I sent that in. This is a disturbing and dangerous trend.

lavendarJ
07-27-2007, 06:29 PM
On top of the thought that I'm not really buying raw almonds, I noticed that they doubled in price per pound at my local grocer. I've never paid $16 per pound for them before...I just passed them and went with another nut for my nieces and nephew.

MusicalRawLady
07-27-2007, 06:44 PM
Wow...this thread makes me hungry.

beppa66
07-27-2007, 07:14 PM
I purchased several pounds recently online right from the grower.
They are terrific. So fresh!

http://rawfromthefarm.com/default.aspx

Raw Bunny
07-28-2007, 08:59 AM
I purchased several pounds recently online right from the grower.
They are terrific. So fresh!

http://rawfromthefarm.com/default.aspx

Thanks Beppa66, I think I will start ordeing from this sight. They mention a 5% discount on your next order for referrals. If you want to email me your name I will use it when I order so that you have a discount for next time.

Funkalicious
05-06-2009, 03:50 PM
about 3 weeks ago, I went from McDonalds burger to 95% raw. And I still haven't looked back, i'm loving the raw lifestyle. But as I'm researching & learning about what I thought is raw is not really is sooo disappointing. Today I learned my $8.99 a pound Raw Almonds from Cali has been cooked, the case of Mangos that I bought from the Indian Market has been hot water treated, and Banana are gased. I'm heart broken but not discourge, I see this raw food adventure is going to be like maze. Even thou my so-called fresh raw veggie has been tamper by man, it's still better than the junk i was eating.

just had rant & confidence myself to stay the course. Sorry for bring up this old thread.

I've signed the petition @ ww.livingnutz.com, have you???