Posts tagged salmonella

OK, so here’s the story. Last month, I ranted blogged about the mandatory pasteurization of almonds, and actually sent the FDA a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request “looking to obtain any and all studies, information, public complaints or comments, illnesses reported, etc. that led up to the mandatory pasteurization of almonds.”

Well, the response is in –

Dear Mr. Clemens:

In response to your request of January 11, 2010 for information pertaining to mandatory pasteurization of almonds. [sic]

You may wish to contact the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) about this issue.

We have searched our files and found no responsive information.

Read the rest of this entry »

Raw Almonds

So, I’ve been trying to eat healthier over the past eight or nine months, and a lot of better choices have made their way into my regimen. No, not the usual low-fat/low-cal/low-carb crap that is pumped full of additives and promoted as a breakthrough panacea by health experts on Oprah before it is pulled from the market for causing death in lab rats. I’ve taken to eating much more nutritious, wholesome foods, and have tried to counteract my affinity for beer and cheese with regular servings of raw vegetables, leafy greens and the like.

Now, I’m certainly no Woody Harrelson all raw foodie or anything like that, but I definitely have placed more emphasis on eating minimally processed foods, which at the core of its definition would indicate a leaning towards raw ingredients. So, as I was scooping my raw organic almonds into a baggy from the Whole Foods bulk bins (prepared to pay a generous $15.99/lb for them too), I notice what I will from henceforth refer to as “the last straw.”

Just as I’m sealing up my expensive little bag, I see a sign alerting me that back in 2007 (where the hell have I been?), a ruling was made that required all almonds grown in the United States to undergo pasteurization, even those that are labeled as “raw.” WTF? Are they serious? And while “raw” organic almonds have to be steam pasteurized, conventionally grown almonds are often sterilized with propylene oxide, a compound that the FDA’s homies, the EPA, call a “mild [central nervous system] depressant” and a “probable human carcinogen.”

Oh yes, please, FDA, save us from the pure, nutritious, unadulterated bounty of earth by spraying it with a synthetic chemical wondergas that causes “moderate acute toxicity from inhalation, high acute toxicity from dermal exposure, and moderate to high acute toxicity from ingestion.” Phew, that was close! There could have been enzymes and beneficial bacteria on that nutrient dense almond. I feel much safer now — thank you! Read the rest of this entry »