It now appears that USDA will go forward with requiring that almonds be "pasteurized" -- and apparently by using propylene oxide (PPO) for this purpose.
PLEASE go to www.cornucopia.org and click on their "authentic almond project" button to find out how you can help!
Tell your friends! Get the word out in the raw food and organic food community as quickly as you can!
This rule goes into effect September 1, and California almonds sold after that date will be required to be treated as required by this rule -- but may still be labeled "raw!" AND many small organic family farms may go out of business!!
The Cornucopia organization has taken the lead to fight this, but they can't do it alone. Please help!
here is more info:
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from:cornucopia.institute@gmail.com
Subject: BREAKING NEWS: USDA Rejects Almond Board's Appeal for Delay of Treatment Plan - immediate need to jumpstart campaign to protect raw and organic almonds
Hello all,
We wanted to immediately share breaking news with you concerning the USDA's decision to reject the six-month extension, requested by the California Almond Board (CAB), of the implementation for the new "pasteurization" requirement for raw almonds.
We had hoped to use the delay to help organize an aggressive campaign. The CAB request for delay had nothing to do with the outcry of consumers regarding this questionable "technological fix." It was an attempt to accommodate the industry since it was perceived that adequate processing capacity was not in place to meet the September 1 deadline. We are concerned that the decision not to grant the delay might competitively impact some players in the market.
It is more important than ever to immediately engage your customers and members to fight this top-down decision that will negatively impact domestic growers, other members of the industry and consumers.
This couldn't come at a more awkward time. In addition to a bumper crop of almonds, industry insiders tell us that some players are now stocking up on European-grown almonds, attracted by low pricing and the guarantee of non-pasteurized availability, in spite of a recognition of their lower quality.
Please visit the Cornucopia website (www.cornucopia.org) and click on the "Authentic Almond Project" navigation button for full campaign materials.
If you have questions or tactical ideas at this juncture please let us know. The only way we will win this battle is to engage as many consumers to stand with growers and handlers as possible.
Best regards,
Will Fantle
715-839-7731
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PRESS RELEASE
USDA Rejects Almond Board's Appeal for Delay of Treatment Plan
The Cornucopia Institute has learned that the USDA has rejected the request by the Californian Almond Board for a 6-month delay in implementation of the controversial almond pasteurization plan. Sources at the Agency told Cornucopia that they had determined that sufficient capacity existed in California to handle the pasteurization of this year's bumper almond crop with propylene oxide (PPO), a toxic fumigant approved for use on raw almonds to kill Salmonella bacteria.
"USDA is again not hearing the legitimate concerns being raised by almond growers, retailers and consumers who want a full review of the pasteurization scheme," said Will Fantle of The Cornucopia Institute, a farm policy group based in Wisconsin.
"We cannot let this order stand and we will investigate all public, legal and Congressional paths to see that this flawed and rushed plan receives a comprehensive public reassessment," Fantle said.
Only 18 people - all associated with the Almond industry - commented on the draft pasteurization rule earlier this year. The comments came almost entirely from a small subset of almond handlers who received individual letters from USDA notifying them of the plan.
"The public was almost completely shut out of this process," noted Fantle. Since the USDA's almond plan was publicly revealed by Cornucopia in April, the group has learned that the Agency has received more than 1200 public comments opposing it.
"There are a multiple concerns regarding the wisdom and science of using a suspected carcinogen for almond treatments, questions about processing capacity for approved alternative treatments such as high-temperature heat, and the loss of domestic markets for growers competing with foreign almonds that are not required to undergo the pasteurization process."
Eli Penberthy
Food and Farms Policy Analyst
The Cornucopia Institute
www.cornucopia.org
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