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ALERT: USDA Says Foods Labeled as 'Raw' Can Be Pasteurized

Despite a negative backlash from almond producers, retailers and consumers, the USDA has implemented its ruling to require that all raw almonds sold in stores must be pasteurized. The rule went into effect on September 1st, 2007 and since then, all retail outlets have been forced to remove true raw almonds from store shelves. Consumers will be misled by this action as there will still be almonds on store shelves labeled as "raw", but they will actually be pasteurized.

One of the FDA-recommended pasteurization methods requires the use of propylene oxide, which is classified as a "possible human carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is banned in Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.

Since the decision about the rule was made, Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, has stepped down. He is temporarily replaced by Chuck Conner. This may provide a new opportunity for reversal.

Please contact Conner today to ask that the rule be suspended for 6 months while the public comment period is re-opened.

>>Learn More

November 22, 2009

Subject:

Please suspend the rule requiring the pasteurization of almonds labeled as "raw" and re-open the public comment period. I am opposed to the USDA's new rule requiring the pasteurization of almonds that will continue to be labeled as "raw". The all but secret public comment period was apparently intended by the USDA to exclude the public. In fact, only 18 comments were made regarding the rules, and all came from the almond industry, who were notified of the draft rule when it was open for public comment in early 2007.

My concerns with the requirement follow:

- One of the FDA-recommended pasteurization methods requires the use of propylene oxide, which is classified as a "possible human carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is banned in Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.

- The rule favors big-agribusiness over family farmers. Family-scale almond farmers will struggle with this new rule, since the minimum price for the pasteurization equipment is $500,000.

- If a product is pasteurized via either a chemical or heat process, it is no longer raw and should not be labeled as such.

- There have been only two food contamination incidents with raw almonds since 2001. Each of these was minor and not indicative of a need to get rid of raw almonds altogether. In fact, both incidences were the fault of improper management of large-scale farms. The cause should be addressed here, not the effect.

Please consider re-opening this rule for public commenting and further consideration.

Thank you.

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