Is There Fuel On Your Almonds?

almondsThe new trending “super” food is almonds, packed full of nutritional benefits such as fiber, nutrients, vitamins, and protein, what’s not to love? Almonds are a source of high-quality protein and with just a handful, you can get your daily dose of protein. Almonds are also known to be a wonderful source for vitamin E, healthy unsaturated fatty acids, and bioactive molecules.

And not only are almonds tasty, they are also very versatile in how they can be enjoyed, whether they are prepared in baked items, hot food, cold salads, on cereals, or just eaten plain, it’s easy to see why the topic of almonds is trending.

What could be easier?

You’d probably never expect something as insidious as engine fuel might be contaminating your “raw” almonds.

Well, think again.

After two outbreaks of salmonella were traced back to almonds, in 2001 and 2004, the government stepped in and began regulating the pasteurization of almonds.

Although nobody died as a result of those two outbreaks and only 33 people became ill, the government mandated pasteurization for all domestically produced almonds, which means, very likely, you are not eating “raw” almonds at all.

Could your almonds have been fumigated with a chemical also used in the production of antifreeze and once used as racing fuel?

Hard to believe, but yes.

There are three ways to pasteurize almonds: freezing, steaming, or by fumigation with propylene oxide (PPO). If your almonds are not labelled and certified organic, they have been pasteurized most likely using the toxic PPO, a toxic industrial chemical used predominately in the production of polyurethane plastics.

Hard to believe, isn’t it? But armed with this information, you can make a different choice for you and your family.

What do we know about the use of PPO in the pasteurization process? Is it really dangerous?

As you can imagine, although the scientific studies can be interesting, to “non-scientists” they can seem a little nutty, yes, pun intended. The studies indicated, as you would expect, the untreated, truly “raw” almonds were superior in maintaining their natural nutritional benefits.

The EPA has deemed propylene oxide as a Group 2B, which is a probable human carcinogen. Propylene oxide has been responsible for a whole list of aliments in research studies, such as inflammatory lesions in the nasal, trachea, and lungs.

PPO has also been responsible for neurological effects, mild slowing of the central nervous system, and tumors following ingestions. We know propylene oxide is toxic in direct quantities, such as ingestion, or with continued exposure, such as continued inhalation.

What does this mean for the PPO pasteurization process for almonds?

Nobody can know yet for certain. Studies have shown the fumigation process leaves a PPO residue which tends to mostly dissipate after a couple days. But long-term effects? One can’t be sure.

For people on a raw food diet, who are striving to eat “live” foods full of healthy enzymes, pasteurized almonds would no longer be the best choice.

The pasteurization chambers used to fumigate almonds rise to temperatures of 140-145 degrees, which it’s generally accepted enzymes begin to degrade at temperatures beginning at 106 and higher.

Unfortunately, what this means, is the almonds you’ve been consuming are neither “raw” nor “live” but rather, have lost nutritional value through the process of pasteurization and likely, contain a residue of PPO.

How to Get PPO-free Almonds

The good news, PPO-free almonds can still be purchased although they will cost you a bit more.

What are your options? Most domestic almonds are produced in California and go through the PPO pasteurization, but you can still purchase truly raw almonds directly from an almond farmer or at a local farmer’s market, if you are lucky enough to live in an almond producing area of the US.

Certified organic almonds will be PPO-free and will have instead, been steam pasteurized. Unpasteurized almonds can also be ordered from outside the US.

Of course, keep in mind, however, these options can be quite costly.

Almonds have incredible nutritional value and shouldn’t be abandoned. Armed with the knowledge of the PPO pasteurization process, you will be able to get the most out of your purchasing options because a simple thing like purchasing seemingly “raw” almonds shouldn’t put toxins into your diet.

On the next page, I want to share with you 6 natural antibiotics that fight superbugs naturally.
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About the Author:

Emma Deangela is the best selling author of The Alkaline Diet Program and 80/20 Fat Loss. She has helped over tens of thousands of men and women to lose weight and transform their health with sound nutrition advice.

Where do you buy your almonds from? Do you look at your label before buying your almonds? Which wonderful friends in your life love almonds but do not know about the pasteurization process of almonds?

Please help them by sharing this eye-opening article with each of them using any of the social media and email buttons below.


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33 responses to “Is There Fuel On Your Almonds?”

  1. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    I knew about this for years. I could tell by the taste and that they don’t plump up when I soak them in water overnight. I order raw, unpasteurized online from Brewer Farms for $8/lb or Bremner Farms which are unpasteurized & organic for $12/lb., minimum 5 lbs.

    1. Ken Edwards Avatar
      Ken Edwards

      Any wonder so many have/get cancer even when you think you’re being careful with your food choices? Thanks for the info on Brewer and Bremner Farms Laura.

  2. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    Love the information..very informative…thanks

  3. Heidi Quinton Avatar
    Heidi Quinton

    How about Almond Milk? Are the almonds organic that are used to process it?

    1. chuck Avatar

      you will be surprised at lack of nutrients in Almond Milk.
      Milk?, Almonds, usually 4/5 per cup of water. additives to
      thicken the liquid. one other additive, not sure, but believe
      for taste.

  4. Linda Sievers Avatar
    Linda Sievers

    Emma,

    Thank you for this information. I was not surprised and I appreciate your willingness to keep us informed.

    What I would like to know is how can we all get on the band wagon and stop this poisonous nonsense of our food. Not buying it is a first step, but the list of toxins not only in our foods, but our tooth paste, make-ups, lotions, and an endless list of personal care products is alarming.

    1. betty heimberger Avatar
      betty heimberger

      thank you for the info about almonds. I would like to know almond milk is contaminated also. I drink it every day! thank you!

      1. Diann Avatar
        Diann

        I purchase “Pacific” brand Almond milk which is organic

  5. Joyce Avatar

    Do raw walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts and pumpkin seeds have problems that could cause health problems? Please let me know as I eat them everyday. Thanks

  6. gloria Avatar
    gloria

    It’s eugenics! All this bad poisoned food is to get rid of all of us. We are living in very dangerous times. Porter Stansberry author of America 2020 wrote in his book ” The corruption in America isn’t happening in one part of our country … or in one type of institution. It is happening across the landscape of our society, in almost every institution. It’s a kind of moral decay … a kind of greed … a kinf of desperate grasp for power … And it’s destroying our nation.” It’s despicable to be traeted like a plantation,

  7. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    How can governments allow it? I eat a lot of almonds so probably have been slowly poisoning myself. Governments should be accountable. Is there anything toxin free to eat?

  8. makani Avatar
    makani

    I would also like to know about almond milk? Are organic almonds used to make it?

  9. Rebecca Avatar
    Rebecca

    Wow, I had no idea about this! Thanks, Emma, for this article, and thanks, Laura, for the info on the farms. I’ll be trying Brewer Farms’ almonds. I was just at Walmart yesterday, and a 1-lb bag of almonds there was also $8. After reading this, I’m glad I didn’t buy them!

    Linda, you mentioned toothpaste… I’ve been using Rose of Sharon Acres’ Tooth Chips for years and love them! A container costs more than a tube of toothpaste but lasts longer, and the ingredient list is short and all-natural.

  10. James Karo Avatar
    James Karo

    If you assert that the nutritional breakdown begins to occur at 106 degrees with PPO pasteurization at 140-145 degrees, then imagine what happens to the nutritional value when you steam pasteurize at 212 degrees. I personally would take the risk of eating unpasteurized almonds before paying more for an organic (cooked) almond any day!

  11. Melody Avatar
    Melody

    I don’t know if this would work but soaking them in 35% food grade peroxide may help. Other than that, grow your own.

  12. Maria Avatar
    Maria

    Thank you for the information about almonds. Is almond milk is contaminated also??. I drink it every day! thank you!

  13. Benny Hill Avatar
    Benny Hill

    It is unbelievable what is going on today in America. Corruption became a standard of life by almost all business establishment. What is wrong wit this picture? Where is he moral value of our country? Why we still support any form of Government? Is because people are ignorant? Is it because the School system is broken and Kids are brainwashed? Perhaps-YES! Even God don’t ant to help us. t is so sad!

  14. Erin Avatar
    Erin

    Thank you for looking out for all of us I truly appreciate you

  15. Albert Avatar
    Albert

    I would also like to know if Almond Milk is affected !
    Will soaking the almonds remove the PPO ?

  16. Ouida K. Spalding Avatar
    Ouida K. Spalding

    Am most concerned with the almond problem – love them!!!!

  17. guy handy Avatar
    guy handy

    This is the ingredient in Almond or Coconut milk!! Carrageenan is a common ingredient in the majority of milk substitutes, baby formulas, cottage cheese and, sadly, even some flavored coconut waters. It’s used as a stabilizer and/or emulsifier. And it doesn’t even matter if the product is USDA certified organic. Sigh.

  18. guy handy Avatar
    guy handy

    Carrageenan is a common ingredient in the majority of milk substitutes, baby formulas, cottage cheese and, sadly, even some flavored coconut waters. It’s used as a stabilizer and/or emulsifier. And it doesn’t even matter if the product is USDA certified organic. Sigh. This causes cancer!!!

  19. Mark Anderson Avatar
    Mark Anderson

    I stopped eating almonds when I found out!! That was several years ago.

  20. Chris seton Avatar
    Chris seton

    The FDA, needs to start doing it’s job, they are hopeless , probably in cahoots with big business! This country eats for toxins than any other, so called civilised country, we are being slowly annihilated!!

  21. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Please tell me where I can by truly organic almonds. Also is the almond milk like Silk effected by these PPO pasturized almonds
    thanks, Karen

  22. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Please be aware that propylene oxide is a very reactive gas that is does not “cling” or soak into the foods you’re eating whatsoever. Just because a chemical is also used as a racing fuel addictive does not make it evil, as this sensationalist author would lead you to believe. Water is a chemical, too: dihydrogen monoxide. It sounds scary when you spell it that way, doesn’t it? Dihydrogen monoxide is found in a lot of dangerous things as well, does that make it poison? No. Please do your research and avoid sensationalist alarmist articles like what you’ve just read. Good luck!

    1. EH Avatar
      EH

      Tom,
      I would be interested to know how the PPO “gas” doesn’t permiate into the substance it’s being used on? I’m not being combative with your statement… just looking for more info. If the PPO doesn’t somehow “get on or get in” to whatever it’s being used to treat, then how is it an efffective means of killing off the bacteria or organism? How can we know that the residue dissipates? I’ll do additional research but thought I’d ask since you posed this perspective. Thanks

  23. Nancy Preston Avatar
    Nancy Preston

    I’ve been eating raw almonds for over 15 years, I’m 76. But now wondering if I’m slowly poisoning my system, but with all the genetically modified grains, which is in almost all of our foods, and the weed killers we put in our gardens that’s absorbed into our food stuffs, it’s surprising that any one is living very long.

  24. Ken Avatar
    Ken

    FOOD FOR THOUGHT

    The greed of companies such as Monsanto have held farmers to a terrorist sense of choices. Monsanto developers of food which contain the ability to kill weeds with a ” Roundup,” in bred chemical . They force farmers to use their seeds, demand royalties from the farmers and find devious ways to rid Organic farmers to go out of business.

  25. CCSue Avatar
    CCSue

    Thank you Diet Sage for the information, and the most disturbing and telling comment by Gloria, “It’s despicable to be traeted like a plantation”. That is exactly how Monsanto and Bayer and other Chem Manufacturers see the public. Until we put our money where our mouth is, we are crap out of luck.

  26. Theresa Avatar

    In the beginning of this article you claim organic almonds are fumigated with PPO. In the latter part of same article, you claim they are fumigated by steaming. Which is it?

  27. F. Meah Avatar
    F. Meah

    Thanks for the info. Can PPO be removed by rinsing or soaking in water for a long time. Chemist

  28. EH Avatar
    EH

    I wouldn’t trust because it states its organic they are not treated with PPO. I emailed the company I purchased organic almonds from about their process and the write back that they use PPO. There must be some loophole in the system that they can do this and still promote them as organic. Best bet is to contact the company directly to find out.

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