Last Updated on August 17, 2018 by Patricia Carter

SUMMARY:  Starting on September 1, 2007, it became illegal for 100% raw almonds to be manufactured and sold in the United States, with two exceptions (discussed below).  Eating SCD/GAPS/PALEO (some camps) can mean eating nuts if tolerated, properly processed, and traditionally prepared thereby making them more easily digested.  Understanding what this legislation means for your sourcing almonds is simple.  Learn in this post where to source raw almonds, and alternatives to raw (that would be pasteurized  almonds ⇒  You want to source steam pasteurized, NOT PPO)!

The NEW Law

First, you can read the new law and its specific provisions by going to the website address of the California Almond Board.  This site is loaded with processing information you may be concerned with such as: Harvest Issues: Stockpiling, Moisture Content, Quality Problems and Aflatoxin, or listen to the audio on the Almond Update on Russian Import Ban.

For background, the pasteurization law originated due to two outbreaks of Salmonella poisoning; the first in Canada was traced back to an almond grower in California but then a second outbreak at another producer prompted the legislation.

Almonds now are pasteurized by:

1. Steam heat to a 200 F temp or
2. Exposure to an application of a propylene oxide (jet fuel) that “evaporates” for pasteurization.
3. Two pasteurization concerns:  The steam pasteurization  temperature results in a loss of nutrient and live enzyme activity that were considered not necessary for a vast majority of almonds.  A residue of propylene oxide is worrisome as it is classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen with a mile long list of “Hazard Summary”.

NOTE: If almonds are organic they cannot have the propylene oxide pasteurization. 

NOTE:  These pasteurization mandates do not apply for other nuts such as walnuts and pecans which can be used in a whole foods diet.

The two exceptions to the pasteurization law is:

When a grower can demonstrate a 4-log reduction in Salmonella content through ordinary manufacturing processes such as enough dry roast or blanching.  The second exception is when the grower sales directly to customers at local farmer markets with a 100 pound per person per day limit.

If you want 100% raw organically grown almonds, your only option is to purchase from a:

1. 1. Grower at a local farmer’s market,

   2.  Grower who has received exemption from the mandatory processing rules, or from a

   3. Certified organic almond grower OUTSIDE of the United States who exports almonds to this country.

Sources for pasteurized almonds and almond flour!

My Costco now sells Costco Kirkland brand almonds that are steam pasteurized! Check your Costco and skip them if they are PPO pasturized; In Cananda, Costco Kirland almonds are steam pasturized so they are fine to buy.  Always label read to be certain of pasteurization technique.

For almond flour (aka almond meal), to avoid PPO pasteurization and the skins (skins makes the meal more difficult to digest) buy  Honeyville Almond Flour or the Costco Kirkland Almond flour.  Both are steam blanched and skinless.  Some Costco’s even carried the Honeyville Almond Flour!  These are what I use for all my Pinterest PALEO, SCD, and GAPS recipes.  Some even use these to make almond milk SCD yogurt!  I make small quantities of almond milk simply by mixing some of these almond flours in filtered water.

Other sources of clean almond flour, although I’ve always found them usually higher priced than Honeyville,  are:   Nuts.com,  Wellbees (formerly Digestive Wellness and kosher) , Lucy’s Kitchen Shop, Benefit Your Life (organic), JK Gourmet.  

There you have it… EASY to navigate the almond pasteurization law.

In health,

♥Last updated: August 17, 2018 at 15:57 pm  to note that Costco Kirkland brand almonds are now steam pasteurized!  Prior update June 27, 2017 was to clarify that US Costco Kirkland brand almonds are  PPO pasturized, but in Cananda, Costco Kirland almonds are steam pasturized so they are fine to buy.