After two salmonella outbreaks in 2004 and 2001, the USDA mandated that all almonds be pasturized by either (1) fumigation with propylene oxide (PPO) or (2) steam treatment by heating almonds to 165 degrees for a brief period. PPO is a volatile liquid most commonly used in producing plastics. We could have a debate about whether the use is dangerous to health, but it's NOT a food product, and I don't feel comfortable with feeding it to my children.
Thus began my search for non-PPO almonds... I really wanted raw almonds, but they are only sold directly from the farms now.
Thus began my search for non-PPO almonds... I really wanted raw almonds, but they are only sold directly from the farms now.
- Whole Foods and Traders Joes - I contacted both organizations and was told they have a policy to not carry any items where almonds have been treated with PPO. I've noticed items with PPO treated almonds in both stores, however. When I contacted Traders Joes, they clarified that the policy only applies to Trader Joes branded products.
- Costco - Per my email contact with Costco, they do carry almonds treated with PPO.... so I stopped buying almonds at Costco. Recently, I noticed that their Kirkwood almonds say "steam pasteurized." Maybe other customers contacted them and they changed their stance/supplier! :-)
- Lara Bars - Use almonds that could have been treated with PPO, per my email exchange with the company.
