Food safety information for nuts and nut products.
Information from UC Davis
- Bibliography: Containing a comprehensive list of references pertaining to microbial safety of nuts and sesame seeds. Publications on the Microbial Safety of Nuts and Sesame Seeds (updated 9-3-19) (PDF 364 KB)
- Inactivation of Microorganisms in Nuts and Nut Pastes: Table and References (updated 9-3-19) (PDF 222 KB)
- Outbreaks from Tree Nut, Legume, and Seed Pastes: Table and References (updated 9-3-19) (PDF 257 KB)
- Outbreaks from Tree Nuts, Peanuts, and Sesame Seeds (updated 12-11-19) (PDF 348 KB)
- Surveys for Foodborne Pathogens on Nuts: Tables and References (updated 9-3-19) (PDF 288 KB)
- Survival of Foodborne Pathogens on Nuts: Tables and References (updated 9-3-19) (PDF 171 KB)
- U.S. Recalls of Nuts: Table and References (updated 9-3-19) (PDF 280 KB)
- Archived Documents, Nuts and Nut Pastes
Industry Handbook for Safe Processing of Nuts
- Industry Handbook for Safe Processing of Nuts 2016 (Grocery Manufacturer's Association - GMA) (PDF 6.38 MB)
- Addendum I: Industry Handbook for the Safe Shelling of Peanuts 2015 (PDF 3 MB)
- Addendum II: Good Agricultural Practices for California Pistachio Growers 2009 (PDF 758 KB)
- Addendum III : Good Agricultural Practices for Almond Growers 2009 (PDF 2.3 MB)
- Executive Summary: Industry Handbook for Safe Processing of Nuts (PDF 42 KB)
- Facility Design Checklist (will open as MS Excel spreadsheet.)
- Technical Guidance and Tools (Resources - Products)
Preventing Salmonella and E. coli in tree nuts
- From the Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN and the World Health Organization, in English, Spanish, and French:
- Preventing Salmonella and E. coli in tree nuts (2012) (PDF 1.9 MB)
- Prevención y control de la Salmonella y la E. coli enterohemorrágica en los frutos secos (2012) (PDF 1.8 MB)
- Prévention et maîtrise de Salmonella et Escherichia. coli entérohémorragique dans les fruits à coque (2012) (PDF 1.8 MB)
Regulations and Guidance Documents
- Compliance Policy Guides - Sub Chapters 570 - 590 (Various Nuts) (FDA)
- Guide to Inspections of Manufacturers of Miscellaneous Food Products - Establishment Inspections - Section 4: Tree Nuts (FDA)
Information about Specific Nuts
Almonds
Brazil Nuts
- United States Standards for Grades of Brazil Nuts in the Shell (USDA,PDF 55 KB)
- USDA Brazil Nuts Handbook (USDA, PDF 1035 KB)
Chestnuts
- Food Safety Modernization Act - Chestnut Growers of America Conference 2015 (Harris, Danyluk, UC Davis & Univ. of Florida, PDF 3.6 MB)
Hazelnuts (Filberts)
- Oregon Hazelnut Marketing Board
- Efficacy of water, sodium hypochlorite, peroxyacetic acid, and acidified sodium chlorite for reducing microorganisms on in-shell hazelnuts (Weller, L.D., Master's Thesis 2012)
- United States Standards for Grades of Filberts in the Shell (USDA,PDF 57 KB)
- USDA Handbook Filberts in the Shell (USDA, PDF 115 KB)
- USDA Filberts in the Shell Visual Aid (USDA, PDF 1.2 MB)
Macadamia
Mixed Nuts
- United States Standards for Grades of Mixed Nuts in the Shell (USDA, PDF 51 KB)
Peanuts and Peanut Butter
Pecans
- National Pecan Shellers Association
- United States Standards for Grades of Pecans in the Shell (USDA, PDF 77 KB)
- USDA Pecans in the Shell Handbook (USDA, PDF 13.2 MB)
- United States Standards for Grades of Pecans, Shelled (USDA, PDF 79 KB)
- USDA Pecans, Shelled Handbook (USDA, PDF 1.8 KB)
Pistachios
Walnuts
- Producing Quality Walnuts: Food Safety Starts on the Farm (PDF 120 KB)
- Quality Counts - Best Practices for Walnut Growers (PDF 495 KB)
- United States Standard for Walnuts (Juglans regia) in the Shell (USDA, PDF 62 KB)
- United States Standard for Walnuts (Juglans regia), Shelled (USDA, PDF 102 KB)
- USDA Walnuts (Juglans regia) in the Shell and Shelled, Handbook (PDF 2.5 KB)
- USDA Walnuts (Juglans regia) Visual Aid (PDF 138 KB)