Are Blue Diamond almonds safe to eat? A detailed look at safety and nutrition

October 4, 2025 •

3 min read

Over 2 million square feet across Blue Diamond's three advanced processing plants are dedicated to ensuring rigorous food safety standards are met for their products. Despite these extensive measures, many consumers still wonder: are Blue Diamond almonds safe to eat? This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of the company's safety protocols and address common concerns.

Quick Summary

Blue Diamond almonds are safe to eat due to comprehensive food safety standards, including pasteurization. A past Salmonella recall was isolated to bulk ingredients for manufacturers and did not involve consumer-branded products, confirming stringent safety measures.

Key Points

Pasteurization and Food Safety: Blue Diamond uses a thermal-controlled pasteurization process for whole almonds and a UHT process for almond milk to ensure safety by eliminating harmful bacteria.
Limited Recall Impact: The 2022 Salmonella recall only affected bulk, industrial-ingredient almonds and did not involve consumer-facing snack nuts or almond milk, which were confirmed as safe.
Sweet vs. Bitter Almonds: Blue Diamond products use safe 'sweet' almonds, not the poisonous 'bitter' variety, which are not typically sold in grocery stores for snacking.
Quality Control: The company maintains strict quality control with advanced facilities, internal laboratories, and adherence to FDA and HACCP guidelines, regularly testing for contaminants like aflatoxins.
Health Benefits: When consumed in moderation, Blue Diamond almonds offer significant nutritional value, including healthy fats, protein, fiber, and Vitamin E, supporting heart health and weight management.
Processing Variations: While natural varieties are minimally processed, some flavored Blue Diamond almonds contain added oils and salt, requiring moderation for a balanced diet.

What Makes Blue Diamond Almonds Safe?

Blue Diamond Growers, a cooperative of almond farmers, prioritizes food safety through advanced technology and adherence to industry standards. A key safety measure is pasteurization, required for all California almonds to eliminate harmful bacteria like Salmonella. Blue Diamond utilizes a moist air, thermal-controlled process for whole natural almonds and Ultra High Temperature (UHT) for liquid products like Almond Breeze.

The company maintains state-of-the-art processing plants with segregated areas for raw and finished products, reducing contamination risk. An in-house laboratory conducts regular testing for contaminants, including aflatoxins, ensuring compliance with HACCP and FDA regulations.

Understanding the 2022 Salmonella Recall

In August 2022, Blue Diamond issued a recall, which is important to understand in context. The recall specifically involved a bulk lot of 'Whole Brown Almonds' (347,650 pounds) intended for food manufacturing use only. No branded consumer products, such as snack nuts or Almond Breeze, were affected and were confirmed safe. This voluntary recall was initiated after internal sampling detected potential Salmonella, highlighting the effectiveness of their safety procedures.

Sweet vs. Bitter Almonds: A Key Safety Distinction

There are different types of almonds, and knowing the difference is important for safety.

Sweet Almonds (Prunus dulcis): These are the safe, edible variety used in all of Blue Diamond's consumer products. They contain very low levels of amygdalin.
Bitter Almonds: Raw bitter almonds contain high levels of amygdalin, which converts to toxic hydrogen cyanide. Even a small number can be poisonous, and they are not sold for general consumption.

Potential Health Considerations Beyond Contamination

While Blue Diamond's products are safe regarding bacterial contamination, other health factors should be considered.

Allergies As a tree nut, almonds are a common allergen, and products containing them are legally required to have allergen warnings.

Aflatoxins Almonds can be affected by molds producing aflatoxins, which are harmful. Blue Diamond and the almond industry have strict controls and testing to minimize exposure and comply with regulations.

Processing and Additives While natural almonds are minimally processed, some flavored Blue Diamond varieties contain added vegetable oils and salt.


Comparison of Almond Varieties	Feature	Whole Natural Almonds	Roasted and Flavored Almonds
Processing	Gently pasteurized with moist air; no added oils or salt.	Typically roasted in vegetable oils and seasoned with salt and other flavorings.
Nutritional Profile	The most natural profile, providing optimal benefits from healthy fats, fiber, and nutrients.	Higher in sodium and potentially calories due to added oils and seasonings.
Health Score	Generally healthier due to minimal processing and no additives.	Considered moderately processed; still a good source of protein and fats, but should be consumed in moderation due to higher salt content.

Almonds as Part of a Healthy Diet

Almonds are a nutrient-dense snack with many health benefits when eaten in moderation. A typical serving is about 23 almonds (1 ounce), providing healthy fats, protein, and fiber.

Key Health Benefits of Almonds

Heart health: Monounsaturated fats help lower LDL cholesterol.
Antioxidants: Compounds in the skin protect cells.
Blood pressure: Magnesium content is linked to lower blood pressure.
Weight management: Fiber and protein promote fullness.
Gut health: Fiber supports digestion and beneficial bacteria.
Vitamin E: Almonds are a good source of this antioxidant.

Conclusion

Based on comprehensive food safety measures, including pasteurization and rigorous quality control, Blue Diamond almonds are safe to eat for the vast majority of consumers. The company's effective handling of a past recall, which did not impact consumer products, further supports their commitment to safety. While being mindful of potential allergies and the distinction between sweet and bitter almonds, incorporating safe, portion-controlled Blue Diamond almonds into a balanced diet can provide substantial nutritional advantages.

For more details on almond safety and nutrition, resources like The Almond Board of California are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Blue Diamond's branded consumer products, including their snack almonds and Almond Breeze milk, are safe to consume. These products were explicitly not involved in the 2022 Salmonella recall, which only affected a specific bulk product intended for food manufacturing.

Blue Diamond uses a moist air, thermal-controlled pasteurization process for its natural almonds to kill any harmful bacteria. For Almond Breeze, an Ultra High Temperature (UHT) process is used to achieve commercial sterility.

No, Blue Diamond does not sell bitter almonds for snacking. All their consumer products are made from sweet almonds, which are safe for consumption. Bitter almonds are poisonous and are not intended for direct retail sale.

Yes, Blue Diamond maintains high-level food safety standards, as evidenced by its modern processing plants and internal quality assurance laboratory. The company's proactive detection and recall of the contaminated bulk product in 2022 demonstrate the effectiveness of these measures.

Yes, almonds can be susceptible to molds that produce aflatoxins, but Blue Diamond takes strict measures to prevent this. The company's quality assurance laboratory is certified by the USDA to test for aflatoxins in almonds.

Natural almonds are minimally processed and contain no additives. Flavored almonds, while still nutritious, contain added vegetable oils and salt, making them more processed and higher in sodium. They should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Almonds are a powerhouse of nutrients, including healthy monounsaturated fats, protein, fiber, and Vitamin E. Benefits include support for heart health, cholesterol reduction, blood pressure management, and aid in weight control.