Have you noticed a difference in your Almonds?

Last fall you may remember me posting that as of Sept. 2007 law was going into affect that Raw Almonds would need to be pasteurized by one of two methods; Steam Pasteurization or fumigation with Propylene Oxide. (A Google search will provide you with plenty of information about Propylene Oxide so you can make an informed decision as to whether you want to feed this to your parrots.)

At that time I contacted my source for Almonds and was told that Almonds in the shell would NOT be pasteurized. This information was false. Almonds in the shell are in fact being pasteurized.

Labels don’t matter. Almonds labeled as "Raw Almonds" will still have been pasteurized! This is another bit of information that can be Googled.

Some suppliers still have Almonds in stock that are not pasteurized. When they run out, you’ll have to check as to what pasteurization method they will employ.

You still would be able to purchase a living nut from a source that gets their supply from a country that does not have the pasteurization law.

My source for Almonds now lists this

Raw Almonds (In Shell)



All natural, peerless, grade A almonds, high in protein, calcium and zinc. Medical tests show that almonds can lower the risks of heart problems. Per California law, these are pasteurized.

Raw Almonds (No Shell)



All natural, supreme size, high in protein, calcium and zinc. Medical tests show that almonds can lower the risks of heart problems. For the almond connoisseur, these are nonpareil supreme 18/20 raw almonds, some of the finest out there! These almonds are pasteurized.

Do your homework, know your source, know what method is being used to pasteurize the Almonds you buy. Your parrots lives may depend on it.

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-...eurization.pdf

For those of you that feed Almonds out of the shell. I found these;
Non- Pasteurized
Delicious raw organic almonds from Spain. Certified by CCOF. Grown without any chemicals or pesticides.
***These are not Pasteurized***
LINK: Organic Almonds

I'm still looking to find Non- Pasteurized In-Shell Almonds.

Glad you posted that Karen. I have almonds in the birds food. I just dug them all out.

Thanks for the research into this very sensitive issue. In case this is new information to you, here is a link as to why in California, almonds are pasturized. I will be buying from the resources where they are not pasturized.

Almond Board - Almond Board Programs - Action Plan and Pasteurization

Thanks for the information Karen!

Thank you Karen! I am going to take the almonds. Ruby really doesn't like them anyway.