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Dear Friend,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression that the FDA had rules and regulations to protect unsuspecting consumers from false labeling. Goodness knows they have no qualms about pointing an accusing finger at any supplement they think has stepped beyond its bounds…
Which is why I'm still scratching my head over the fact that the FDA is permitting pasteurized almonds to be labeled as raw.
In case you haven't heard by now, as of September 1 all almonds sold in the U.S. are required to be pasteurized. The label will still say "raw", but don't be fooled: The almonds you're eating no longer carry the nutrition-packed punch of their former glory days. The pasteurization process exposes foods to high temperatures in order to kill any bacteria or microorganisms that might be present. The problem: Heat is not a selective killer.
I have a real issue with the fact that almonds are being pasteurized in the first place, but to deliberately mislabel them as raw is a whole other story altogether. It would be like slapping a "raw milk" label on pasteurized milk. It makes no sense.
Something else that makes no sense: The fact that the Almond Board of California claims that pasteurized almonds are no different than raw ones. Here's what they're saying: "Raw almonds that have been pasteurized do not differ in any significant way from untreated raw almonds." I guess their nutritional gurus missed the class that explained the difference raw food and cooked food.
But what do they care? Almond growers are not in business to supply you with a health food. They're in business to make money. And if pasteurization can reduce the frequency of outbreaks (and thereby reduce the potential for costly lawsuits), what do they care if their product isn't as nutritious? After all, look at what pasteurization did for the milk business!
It should come as no surprise that pasteurizing almonds will have just as devastating an effect on their health benefits as the process has had on raw milk. Keep reading…
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E is for Almond
Vitamin E is one nutrient you don't want to do without. It's a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect your cells from everyday stress (technically called oxidative stress). In other words, it's one of your main defenses against chronic diseases. In fact, it's the constant wear and tear on your cells leads to more serious diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer's.
As you get older, it's especially important to get your vitamin E through dietary sources— because, as with just about everything else, your body's natural defenses against oxidative stress don't exactly improve with time. One study in the Journal of the American Medical Association even showed that dietary vitamin E could reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
As you probably guessed, almonds are one of the very best sources of this vitamin E, specifically alpha-tocopherol. Of the eight form of this nutrient, alpha-tocopherol is the most active form, and is most useful to your body because it's able to reach all of your tissues throughout your body.
Even though the hazelnut is the next nut in line in terms of alpha-tocopherol content, it has only a little more than half the amount of alpha-tocopherol per 100g as almonds. So what can you do to ensure you're getting enough alpha-tocopherol? You don't have a whole lot of options: You could either load up on inferior sources like hazelnuts or sunflower seeds, or you can try to find a source that sells unpasteurized almonds. If you come across one, let me know and I'll share it with the rest of my readers.
Nutty for the truth,
William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.
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In Reply to: 'raw' almonds no longer raw in the US posted by ANN [1003.516] on October 08, 2007 at 12:05:51:
Dear Friend,
On Friday, I blew the whistle on the FDA for allowing almond manufacturers to label pasteurized almonds as "raw." It's unethical and illegal—and it's tragic that such a nutritious food would be nutritionally castrated by the powers-that-be.
But what I didn't tell you on Friday is that there are plenty of issues beyond the fact that almonds will no longer be a nutritional heavyweight — like the fact that consuming them could now pose a threat to your health.
The pasteurization method the FDA is recommending requires the use of propylene oxide. Let me tell you a little something about the chemical that's supposed to make almonds safer for you to eat.
For starters, it's a recognized carcinogen. A pollution information site called Scorecard says that propylene oxide is in the top 10 percent of compounds that are hazardous to human health and to the ecosystem. In six out of twelve ranking systems, it's ranked as one of the most hazardous chemicals.
It's suspected of causing birth defects, of altering your immune system, and of adversely affecting your central nervous system, your reproductive system, your respiratory system, and your gastrointestinal tract, liver, and gallbladder.
And incidentally, propylene oxide has been banned in Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.
So why on earth would the Almond Board of California suggest that such a change be made in the first place? Simple: to save face. In the last five years, there have been two outbreaks in some of their biggest almond operations in California. That can't be too good for business. But this new gig they've got going on won't be good for business either.
Keep reading...
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Eighty percent of the almonds grown worldwide are grown in the States, which means that a good chunk of change comes from exportation. The problem: Pasteurized almonds are not permitted in many overseas countries. Domestic sales are bound to take a nosedive as well, as companies are now turning to overseas sources to get raw almonds that are REALLY raw.
But perhaps the biggest hit will be taken by the smaller almond operations. Truth be told, even though all of the problems originated with the biggest almond industries, this little piece of legislation could spell the end of the line for organic and small-time almond operations. The minimum cost of the pasteurization equipment is $500,000 — a hefty price that not many smaller businesses can afford. Shipping the almonds off to be pasteurized has its own road bumps, not the least of which includes higher prices tied up in transportation costs.
This is an awful lot of fuss, especially considering the fact that nuts are not likely to pose a threat in and of themselves. It's when manure or other fecal matter gets transferred to the crops that contamination can occur. A better solution is one that would regulate the manmade carelessness that's the source of all these problem to begin with. But with today's Band-aid mentality, the likelihood of that happening is almost nil.
Nutty for the truth,
William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.
Copyright (c)2007 by www.douglassreport.com, L.L.C.
In Reply to: 'raw' almonds no longer raw in the US posted by ANN [1003.516] on October 08, 2007 at 12:05:51:
Thanks, Ann.
Ignorance is rampant in the regulatory agencies. You are right! Knowledge is the only thing that can save us.
Walt
In Reply to: 'raw' almonds no longer raw in the US posted by ANN [1003.516] on October 08, 2007 at 12:05:51:
Question, then could it be that dry roasted are healthier than raw? Are they pasturized as well? Sorry if I should know that, but I don't and I eat a lot of almonds.
Thank you,
Amy
In Reply to: even worse news about almonds posted by ANN [1003.516] on October 08, 2007 at 12:31:08:
Oh for pete's sakes
Im going to call my naturopathic
doctor.. he has me eating l2 a day
is nothing sacred anymore??
I love my almonds
:)) Sedona
In Reply to: Re: even worse news about almonds posted by Sedona [10280.362] on October 09, 2007 at 20:05:37:
time to plant almond trees- they have beautiful flowers, besides good food
In Reply to: Re: 'raw' almonds no longer raw in the US posted by Amy [3201.2965] on October 09, 2007 at 18:27:27:
that might help you avoid the chemical in the second post, but wouldn't help with the fact that nuts shouldn't be heated (roasted OR pasteurized). Heat destroys enzymes and hurts the omega 3 that nuts are good for- plant your own almond trees.
In Reply to: even worse news about almonds posted by ANN [1003.516] on October 08, 2007 at 12:31:08:
Are we talking about shelled almonds? California almonds?
What about mixed nuts in their shell?
In Reply to: Re: 'raw' almonds no longer raw in the US posted by ANN [1003.516] on October 10, 2007 at 06:53:11:
OK here's a question, where do you get an almond tree and does it grow in the Northeast?
In Reply to: Re: even worse news about almonds posted by ANN [1003.516] on October 10, 2007 at 06:51:45:
ll
In Reply to: Re: 'raw' almonds no longer raw in the US posted by Amy [3201.2965] on October 10, 2007 at 13:38:16:
at a local nursery is best, because they can advise you on any special needs regarding the local climate and soil. There are lots of mail order nurseries. When I'm googling for something to buy, as opposed to info on the item, I add the word CART to my search , which brings up places selling stuff, rather than just talking about the stuff. Nursery catalogue usually list what zones each product grows in and prints a zone map, so you can figure out which one you are in.
In Reply to: Re: even worse news about almonds posted by Sally [8783.1590] on October 10, 2007 at 09:14:54:
as of September 1 all almonds sold in the U.S. are required to be pasteurized
I'd say all almonds-including those in mixed nuts and those in shells.
In Reply to: tks Ill take a peek at their flowers Namaste.. Sedona nt posted by Sedona [10280.362] on October 10, 2007 at 14:05:54:
.
In Reply to: almond tree pictures posted by ANN [1003.516] on October 10, 2007 at 15:38:18:
.
In Reply to: imafge didn't work-I'll try a link posted by ANN [1003.516] on October 10, 2007 at 15:40:54:
Thanks!
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[ Whole Foods Diet Archive ] [ Main Archives Page ] [ Glossary/Index ] [ FAQ ] [ Recommended Books ] [ Bulletin Board ] |
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