Tag: Cyanide in almonds

Since 2007, following several *Salmonella* outbreaks, all almonds sold commercially in the U.S. and North America are required to be pasteurized, including those labeled 'raw'. This mandate ensures that the raw almonds you buy from a grocery store are safe to eat by eliminating potential pathogens.

Over 50 bitter almonds can be a lethal dose for an adult due to high levels of a specific toxin, illustrating the critical difference between almond varieties. This guide delves into what toxins do almonds contain and explains why commercial sweet almonds are considered safe for consumption.

According to the official Blue Diamond Growers website, all Blue Diamond brand products are made exclusively from sweet almonds. This directly addresses the query, "are blue diamond almonds bitter almonds?", and provides immediate assurance that they are a safe, edible variety, not the toxic type.

Case studies have documented cyanide poisoning from the ingestion of bitter almonds, confirming their toxic nature when consumed raw. Understanding the difference between bitter almonds and regular almonds is crucial for culinary safety and avoiding potential health risks.

According to the Almond Board of California, virtually all commercially available sweet almonds sold in the United States are pasteurized, making them safe for consumption. However, the question of whether it is safe to eat raw almond nuts is more complex when considering different almond varieties and processing methods.