Pasteurization of Nuts

Because nuts such as almonds are widely used raw or roasted e.g. oil, spreads, paste, (health) bars, salad mixes, food safety involving dry products has become a major issue in the food industry. Nuts are processed in an agricultural environment where infestations are inevitable, cross contamination of pathogenic micro-organisms such as Salmonella can put consumers at risk. Pasteurization is necessary to prevent nationwide outbreaks and product recalls.

After outbreaks of foodborne illnesses associated with raw almond consumption (2001-2004) the USDA regulations, based on the requirements of the ABC, has issued the mandatory pasteurization of almonds for US domestic markets. This legislation came in act on September 1, 2007 and affects the complete almond harvest for US and Canadian markets. To improve the safety of almond consumption, almonds need to be treated with a process realizing a 4Log reduction.

Log 5 is able to provide turnkey solutions to nut processors based on the compliance with USDA’s regulations for almonds for the nut pasteurization process. Helping you to keep those important qualities in nuts such as flavor, nutrition and appearance, safe for consumption.

Challenges for pasteurization of nuts

Tree nuts such as almonds are susceptible to quality changes such as, cooked flavor notes, coloration and loss of skin during the pasteurization process, when excessive condensation occurs during treatment. To preserve to original quality of your product, new pasteurization techniques are required.

Log 5 AwCP for nuts

Log 5 is able to find an optimal balance for your needs and food safety. With our pasteurization solution you will obtain the perfect mix of the highest reduction (5Log) treatment time and product quality.

Log 5 AwCP air treatment controls the most relevant factors:

Temperature
Moisture content of pasteurizing air
Moisture content of preheating air
Air flow

The AwCP pasteurization system is suitable for different types of nuts with different challenges for process settings and design:

Almonds (skin on/ off, (un) blanched)
Hazelnuts (in/out of shell)
Walnuts
Pistachio’s (in/out of shell)
Peanuts
Pecan
Brazil nuts
Macadamia
Cashew

As a member of the Royal Duyvis Wiener Group, we are able to provide all the equipment needed to process nuts such as integrated pasteurization systems within RDW product lines as well as custom made solutions in your existing production line.