Most almonds and hazelnuts in the USA are now irradiated. Irradiation is the use of radiation to help preserve foods and kill off bacteria. The FDA made his standard practice in 2007. At that time, the FDA decided all raw almonds grown in the USA would be pasteurized before the sale.
This decision was made after 2 outbreaks of salmonella. These outbreaks traced back to almonds (2001 and 2004). As it turns out, they were mild outbreaks. Plus, the almonds came from conventional farmers (not organic farmers).
Nevertheless, all almonds were to be irradiated rather than practices change to prevent the repeat of a problem.
So what is wrong with pasteurizing almonds?
If you are a raw milk drinker and supporter then you already know the answer to this question. Pasteurization and heat destroy important enzymes and vitamins.
There are 4 main types of pasteurizing almonds:
- steam processing
- high heat treatment (roasting)
- blanching
- highly toxic fumigation treatment with propylene oxide (PPO)
Two are the primary methods used, which are steam processing, and PPO fumigation.
Steam processing is the method used for pasteurizing organic almonds and they are heated to a temperature of 200 degrees with steam. Not only are the enzymes and vitamins destroyed but so are the bonds of the fats and the fat then oxidizes and becomes a source of free radicals.
Recent scientific studies show that heating almonds create potentially harmful levels of acrylamide, a dangerous byproduct of the amino acid asparagine. Acrylamide causes cancer, or reproductive toxicity (such as birth defects and other reproductive harm).
If your almonds are pasteurized with propylene oxide fumigation(PPO) there is much more to be concerned about. PPO is a verified carcinogen that is highly flammable, with fumes that are hazardous to a human being's personal health.
The EPA has declared PPO a carcinogenic chemical that is responsible for neurological, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and immune system dysfunctions, as well as liver disease. The European Union, Mexico, and Canada have all banned the use of this toxic chemical in anything to do with our food.
Can you avoid pasteurized almonds?
You can avoid pasteurized nuts but you have to buy your almonds directly from the farmer or you have to buy organic. The other exception to this rule is nuts that are foreign imports often avoid irradiation.
In researching, I found one source at Raw Nuts and Seeds where they sell organic almonds that are not pasteurized. Nuts.com sells organic almonds from Spain that are not pasteurized. Also, Amazon sells organic imported almonds that are not pasteurized.
California is almond country. In California, you can find a local farmer to sell you nuts before they send them to be pasteurized (kind of like some farmers that sell their raw milk before the milk truck picks it up).
- Are Pasteurized Almonds Good or Bad? - January 31, 2022
- Nutrition of Peanuts - November 20, 2013
- Happy With Hickory Nuts - November 13, 2013
So why do you not mention the fact that raw almonds have elevated levels of naturally occuring cyanide? I feel that deserves mentioning.
B-12 contains cyanide, too, but it is essential to human life. What you are trying to say is that almonds are a source, though weak, for B-15 and B-17, which also contain cyanide. I might point out that people drown in water, but we don’t mention that when discussing a food that has high water content.
Thank you Jack. I think that is a great explanation.
Hi!
I make my own almond butter and I have become increasingly concerned about the nuts I use. I am a college student and I don’t have the funds to buy organic almond or alone butter, is there a better nut or seed butter alternative? I LOVE nut butters but through my research I have found that almond butter is the best.
Thank you!
I understand your dilemma. I cannot afford to buy everything organic either. We eat lots of peanut butter at my house despite the fact that peanuts are known for mycotoxins and may not be super healthy. But I have to feed my children something and I can’t always afford the best options. So I try my best by eating organic when I can, buying from as close to the source as I can manage, and then hoping the 80-20 rule works out in my favor. If you can find a source for almonds directly from the farmer you will be better off. And if you can’t then just balance out the other things you eat so you are not having almond butter all the time from irridiated almonds.
I use Barney Butter products because they use steam instead of PPO. I discovered that almond milk from the store gives me headaches. I think the problem is the PPOs.
Are nuts in the shell also pasteurized? If so, does it still affect the nut itself? If not, Isn’t that a way to get unpasteurized nuts? More work, yes, but well worth it. Even the organic shelled nuts I get at Trader Joe’s are pasteurized and now that includes walnuts, too! Hope someone can answer this; it would help us all.
Thank you!
I am not sure about those in the shell. The most reliable way to get unpasteurized nuts is to buy them directly from the grower who would agree not to pasteurize them for you. There are some growers who will do that even if you don’t live near them.
Brenmer Farms is the best source I have found for unpasturized Almonds, and they ship.