|
|
|
USDA rejects delay in almond treatment planOpposition working to overturn scheme by Will
Fantle Small-scale
farmers, natural food co-ops and consumers are renewing their call for
the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to reassess a plan to “pasteurize” all Almond
“pasteurization” could harm both consumers and the agricultural
community. The
necessity and safety of the treatments have not been fully analyzed —
nor have
the costs to small-scale growers and the loss of consumer choices. Raw
produce
and nuts are not inherently risky foods. Contamination may occur when
livestock
manure is inadvertently transferred to food. Raw foods can also be
infected by
poor hygiene and sanitation on the farm or in processing facilities. Treating
domestic raw almonds with the toxic fumigant propylene oxide (PPO) is
the
cheapest approved USDA “pasteurization” method. A genotoxic chemical
and
possible carcinogen, PPO fumigation is banned in the European Union, People
choose to buy raw almonds for a variety of personal reasons, including
health,
nutrition and even religious beliefs. Treated almonds would still be
sold as
“raw,” which Cornucopiea calls deceptive. Two recent outbreaks of
salmonella in
almonds led to the pasteurization scheme. Because one of the incidents
was traced
to an industrial-scale grower, some opponents see the treatment plan as
a
“liability shield” for giant growers that ignores the root causes of
contamination.
And organic farmers would be burdened — with expensive and unwarranted
treatment
plans — as a result of problems in large operations. Cornucopia
has called for increased public pressure on the USDA for a full review
of its
almond pasteurization order. Individuals who wish to protect their
access to
untreated, domestic raw almonds can visit Cornucopia’s website (www.cornucopia.org) for an
action
alert and other materials to help them voice their concerns to
key
decision makers. |
CoopScoop Home
|
