USDA and Agribusiness Conspire to Mislead Consumers

[nosmokes]

original-cornucopia

USDA and Agribusiness Conspire to Mislead Consumers

“Raw” Almonds Must Soon be Steam-Heated or Treated with Toxic Chemical

CORNUCOPIA, WI: Small-scale farmers, retailers, and consumers are outraged over a new federal regulation that will require all almonds grown in California to be sterilized with various “pasteurization” techniques. The rule, which the USDA quietly developed in response to outbreaks of Salmonella in 2001 and 2004, traced to raw almonds, mandates that all almonds undergo a sterilization process that includes chemical and/or high-temperature treatments.

Although the final rule was just published in the Federal Register, The Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based farm policy research group, is asking the USDA to reopen the proceeding for public comment. Cornucopia contends that the rule was never effectively announced to the public, and that the reasoning behind both the necessity and safety of the sterilization processes should be questioned before the rule goes into effect this September.

Click here to read a comprehensive fact sheet on the almond issue. And a sample letter for concerned individuals to send to the USDA has also been prepared by The Cornucopia Institute.

“The new rule is unwarranted and could have many harmful impacts,” said Mark Kastel, senior farm policy analyst at Cornucopia. “The costs of the chemical and heat treatments, in addition to the costs of transporting and recording the new procedures, will be especially onerous on small-scale and organic farmers, and could force many out of business.”
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complete story including links to other sources and a sample letter you can send to the USDA here

[AndyA]

1. Our government: hard at work protecting us.

Or is that hard at work against us? :eyes:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Fine with me.

I'm remembering those kids that died from unpasteurized apple juice a few years ago.

If somebody wants to make the stuff, fine, but if you're going to sell it in grocery stores than pasteurize it.

[Double T]

3. The political and corporate criminals will kill us one way or the other.

Our food supply is in more danger from our own people than terrorists. Pathetic.

[cliss]

4. Absolutely true.

I agree with you.

[Mojorabbit]

5. They want to take

a healthy natural food and pasturize the hell out of it with chemicals. How about some more inspections in the processing plants instead.