The Weston A. Price Foundation is working with the Cornucopia Institute to stop a proposal for mandatory pasteurization of almonds.
Background
In response to outbreaks of Salmonella in 2001 and 2004, California-grown raw almonds may no longer be available, due to a new USDA mandate requiring them to be sanitized through treatment processes that the industry euphemistically describes as “pasteurization.”
The pasteurization rule requires fumigation of almonds with propylene oxide, a possibly carcinogenic chemical, or high temperature heat, and will allow almonds to be deceptively labeled as “raw” following these treatments.
Even worse, the measure imposes significant financial burdens on small-scale and organic growers, lacks scientific justification, damages domestic almond markets, and does not address the unsustainable methods used on the industrial-scale almond orchards where the only confirmed Salmonella outbreak occurred.
For detailed specifics on these and other problems associated with the almond treatment rule, please see the “Almond Fact Sheet”, prepared by The Cornucopia Institute, on this issue at: www.cornucopia.org/almond/AlmondFactSheet.doc.
Action to Take
Please contact the USDA and key elected officials now, and tell them to initiate a comprehensive review of the necessity and effects of almond pasteurization–with public input–before the rule is implemented on September 1. But even if this rule goes into effect, please continue contacting key decision makers after September 1. We will be investigating the possibility of lawsuits and other actions to stop the regulation and your letters will help us demonstrate continued public opposition to this rule.
To help stop this unwarranted regulation, concerned members of the public should first contact USDA Secretary Mike Johanns. Email, mail or FAX your comments to:
Secretary Mike Johanns
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Ave SW
Whitten Building Suite 200A
Washington, D.C. 20250
(202) 720-3631
Email: agsec (at) usda.gov
FAX: (202) 720-2166
We also need help from key elected officials to make sure that USDA hears the public and takes the appropriate steps leading to a full and public review of the Almond pasteurization.
Senator Tom Harkin
731 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3254
Fax: (202) 224-9369
Email: christenson (at) agriculture.senate.gov
Rep. Dennis Cardoza
Congressman, California
435 Cannon Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6131
Fax: 225-0819
Toll-free: 800-356-6424
Email: anne.cannon (at) mail.house.gov
Rep. Ron Kind
Congressman, Wisconsin
1406 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5506
Fax: (202) 225-5739
Email: david.degennaro (at) mail.house.gov
If you know who your own member of Congress is, please let them hear from you too.
And we also ask that you share your personal email/contact information to The
Cornucopia Institute so that they can keep you up-to-date with the latest news and action alerts on this issue.
You can contact them at: cultivate (at) cornucopia.org .
Sample Letters
Best are a very short handwritten notes, but these can also be used in an email. If you are an industry professional (farmer, retailer, distributor, or manufacturer),
it is important that you state this in your letter. You can do this below your
typed name/signature and address.
TO MIKE JOHANNS:
I believe that uncooked foods, or “living foods,” offer substantial health benefits.
I am outraged/saddened/disturbed by the fact that I will not be able to purchase
truly raw almonds after the new regulation goes into effect .
I am very concerned that I will no longer be able to know how my food was processed, and that “raw” will no longer mean “raw.”
TO KEY CONGRESSIONAL OFFICIALS
I believe that uncooked foods, or “living foods,” offer substantial health benefits.
I am outraged/saddened/disturbed by the fact that I will soon not be able to
purchase truly raw almonds.
I am very concerned that my almonds will soon be treated with a toxic fumigant or unnecessary heat treatment.
I have let the USDA know of my concerns about their almond pasteurization plan but I am not convinced they are listening. Please use whatever influence you have to help make sure the USDA hears the public.
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