Nutmeats

As a result of Salmonella incidents in 2001 and 2004, the California almond industry, which produces 80% of the annual US almond crop, and the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) worked together to create a mandatory program requiring all raw almonds produced in the state to be sterilized through one of several treatment processes the industry describes as "pasteurization." The final rule was published in the Federal Register in March 2007, with implementation set for September 2007.

• The most common method of treating almonds is propylene oxide fumigation (PPO), an agent which is also used to reduce bacterial and mold contamination in processed spices and cocoa.
• PPO as offered by Sterigenics was found to achieve greater than the required 5-log reduction in raw almonds with no significant degradation to the sensory, quality or nutritional characteristics of almonds.
• Although the cost of constructing onsite-processing facilities can be prohibitive to growers, contract sterilization with Sterigenics provides a safe, high quality and cost-effective alternative.