Growers seek science behind almond ruling

The institute said its policy analysts have made numerous requests for the public information from the Almond Board of California (ABC) to prove the effectiveness of pasteurization and the comparative nutrition, quality, and safety of pasteurized almonds and raw untreated almonds.

The USDA-imposed pasteurization mandate of raw almonds was approved by the ABC, which was set up to represent the industry’s interests.

But the Cornucopia Institute, which claims to promote economic justice for family-scale farming, is questioning whether the decision was based on sound research.

Last month it helped 15 California almond farmers and raw almond wholesale handlers file a lawsuit challenging the rule, claiming they have been economically injured by the regulations.

The lawsuit contends that the USDA lacked regulatory authority and acted illegally in implementing the pasteurization rule, following two salmonella outbreaks linked to almonds.

It said that ABC claims "extensive research"​ has taken place to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of propylene oxide (PPO), the toxic chemical approved for use with almond pasteurization. This is said to demonstrate that PPO effectively kills salmonella and other harmful bacteria and that almonds treated with PPO are safe for consumption.

However, the institute said it has refused to reveal the results of these or any other tests, including the results of a $1m study commissioned by the ABC to assess quality degradation.

Cornucopia also said it has learned that at least some of the studies were still being conducted nearly a year after the raw almond treatment mandate was implemented on September 1, 2007.

FoodNavigator-USA.com contacted the Almond Board of California but it was unable to comment ahead of publication.

Will Fantle, research director for The Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based farm policy group, said: “We have taken this step because we have been frustrated by the Almond Board and the USDA’s unwillingness to share the science behind the rule, the science that purports to show that treatment with either a toxic fumigant or steam heat is safe and does not affect the almond’s taste and nutritional qualities.”​

Eli Penberthy, a policy analyst with Cornucopia, claims to have made multiple requests to the ABC asking for a number of their studies and research documents.

She believes that the lack of data suggests that the “rule was passed prematurely and without sufficient review”.​

Thriving market ​

Despite the claims by the institute that businesses have been seriously damaged and their futures jeopardized, the almond industry appears to be in good shape. In August the board reported that there were record shipments in 2007, which accompanied the industry’s largest crop ever.

The US is the largest single market for California almonds and domestic shipments account for 31 percent share versus 69 percent for export shipments.

It said that if demand continues to grow at this rate, almonds will become the number one nut for global new product introductions in 2008.

California is the only US state that commercially grows almonds and last year the industry was worth about $1.4bn.