Modesto,CA — The Almond Board of California (ABC) is diligently working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and our members to address food safety concerns as the federal agency issued an advisory today regarding the potential for Salmonella Enteritidis contamination on raw, natural almonds from Paramount Farms following a voluntary recall by Paramount Farms on May 18, 2004. ABC recognizes the severity of this situation and remains committed to consumer and product safety.

Despite FDA's advisory, consumers do not have to refrain from eating almonds. This incident is limited to raw almonds, which represent only a fraction of the almonds sold to consumers. In fact, 95 percent of almonds sold undergo processing, such as blanching, roasting or baking which eliminates any potential bacteria such as Salmonella Enteritidis. This means the following products are safe for you to consume:

• dry or oil roasted
• slivered
• blanched
• flavored
• or the almonds in processed foods such as chocolate, confectionary, ice cream, cereal, baked goods and foods baked at home.

The occurrence of Salmonella in almonds is very rare. "The safety of our products and the well being of our consumers is our number-one priority," said Richard Waycott, President & CEO of the Almond Board of California. Contact the Almond Board of California Consumer Hotline for more information 1 (800) 610-5388.

The Almond Board of California administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information please visit www.Almondboard.com.

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Interview opportunity with Linda J. Harris, PhD, Food Safety Specialist, University of California, Davis.
Contact: Stacey Kollmeyer (209)613-1389.