Calif. raw almond producers fight federal regulations, say rules aimed at safety aren’t needed

Raw almond producers fight fed rules

FRESNO, Calif. — Producers of raw almonds are poised for a federal court battle that they hope will ultimately allow them to resume production of the nut without using chemical pesticides or steam.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has required most farmers to use either of those pasteurization methods after salmonella outbreaks in raw almonds in 2001 and 2004.

But raw food enthusiasts and some public health experts say the rules unfairly penalize small organic farmers that produce above-average, safe nuts without imposing similar requirements on foreign almond producers.

A decision from a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., last week will allow nine farmers and three retailers to challenge the government’s right to impose the regulations.