Frequently Asked Questions

Effective September 1st, 2007, the Almond industry was mandated to reduce the potential for Salmonella bacteria in almonds. The mandate is governed by an authorized program under the Federal Marketing Order for California almonds in §981.442(b).  The Federal Marketing Order specifies that treatment processes must utilize technologies that have been determined to achieve a minimum 4-log reduction of Salmonella bacteria in almonds, pursuant to a letter of determination issued by the Food and Drug Administrations or acceptance by. the Almond Board of California’s Technical Expert Review Panel (TERP).  Blue Diamond Growers has obtained TERP certification for our oil roasting, blanching, steam treatment, and moist-air treatment processes in accordance with the Federal Marketing Order.

You can find all of our Kosher certified products on www.ok.org by typing Blue Diamond® in the search bar.

You can find our Non-GMO certified products on The Non-GMO Project’s website: Find Non-GMO – The Non-GMO Project

All bees that Blue Diamond® uses for the almond bloom come from the 48 contiguous states of the US.

Blue Diamond® invests in bee health research and encourages growers to adopt practice to facilitate healthier bee colonies. Blue Diamond® partners with Project Apis m., a non-profit 501 (c) (5) organization whose mission is to direct research that will enhance the health of honey bees while improving crop production.

Prior to releasing products to the marketplace, Blue Diamond® conducts extensive shelf-life testing to determine optimum longevity both unopened and opened. The recommended Best Before Dates are based on the established optimum longevity of the product.  We will not recommend consuming any product past its shelf life, nor will we guarantee its freshness or quality. If the overall characteristics in appearance, smell or taste vary from the norm, then do not consume the product as any variation may be indicative of spoilage.

Our Blue Diamond® Nut & Gift Shop has our snack almonds, Nut Thins® and Gifts for any occasion! Contact us directly at 209-545-3222 Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm PST.

As a grower-owned cooperative, Blue Diamond® shares the same concerns that many others have about water usage, and we are committed to being part of the water solution. We pride ourselves on being leaders in agriculture water efficiency and work hand-in-hand with the Almond Board of California to research and invest in ways to become more water-efficient. Some fast facts:

• Today California almond farms use 33% less water to grow one pound of almonds than they did in 1990.
• Almonds only use 14% of the water used for growing food in California, even though they grow on 21% of the state’s farmland.
• More than 90% of Blue Diamond almond orchards use efficient micro-irrigation systems, as estimated from our sustainability data. That’s nearly twice the average you generally find in California crops.

All Blue Diamond® products are made from sweet almonds.

Although the US food supply is among the safest worldwide, products such as meat, poultry, fruits, vegetables and nuts can potentially be exposed to unsafe bacteria – such as salmonella – that can cause illness.

Blue Diamond Growers produces products under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP’s), which are established standards by the Food and Drug Administration and apply to all personnel working in or traveling through production, packaging, warehouse and other areas where open food products are found.

Pesticide usage in the U.S. is highly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It often takes EPA as long as two years to complete a  full review of a new compound, and 18 months to complete the review of new uses for compounds that are already registered.

In the U.S., almonds are only produced in California, which requires additional review and approval of pesticides by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR). In some cases, CDPR requirements are stricter than EPA requirements.

The state of California also requires monthly reports from growers who use pesticides, detailing a list of pesticides applied, to which crops, the number of acres treated, the name of the compounds and the number of pounds applied. However, pesticides can only be applied by a licensed individual.

Glyphosate is commonly known under the brand name Roundup®. Glyphosate is not applied directly to almond trees. If it is used, it is applied to actively growing weeds on the orchard floor and is effective in controlling many weed species. Any glyphosate landing on the trunk of the tree is not absorbed through mature bark and is not transferred within the tree. Unlike fruit and vegetable crops, the edible almond kernel has a significantly lower risk of being exposed to pesticides in general. This is due to the almond kernel being protected by the hull (fleshy outer covering) and the shell (hard inner surface). The hull and shell are typically detached from the almond kernel after harvest has removed the almonds from the orchard.

Blue Diamond Growers headquarters is located in Sacramento, California.

It is required by law for food manufacturers, that use preservatives in their foods, to declare them in the ingredient statement. Blue Diamond Growers does not use BHA, BHT or any other preservatives in our products.

The almonds are grown in orchards by our grower co-operative members in California.

No, for best quality we recommend consuming REFRIGERATED Almond Breeze® before the “Use By” date and SHELF STABLE Almond Breeze® before the “Best Before” / “Best if Used By” date, and within the recommended time frame after opening, as discussed above.

Yes, Almond Breeze® manufacturing facilities also handle coconut and cashew. All products are produced in a stringent allergen control environment to ensure that there is no cross-contamination in finished goods.

BPA is not added to Blue Diamond® packaging.

Both are produced in commercially closed sterilization processes. The shelf-stable products are produced on aseptic production lines – the same as other non-dairy milk alternatives. The refrigerated product is produced in a dairy process, without using any dairy ingredients.

Refrigerated Almond Breeze® is made using sophisticated equipment in an Ultra Pasteurization process utilizing very high heat for a very short period of time. Ultrapasteurized product, when packed in a specially designed protective carton, results in an extended shelf life.

Refrigerated Almond Breeze® is packaged in either gable-top 64 fl oz cartons with a white plastic pour spout fitment, or screw-capped HDPE plastic 96/10 fl oz jug/bottle. All container materials are made from FDA approved virgin materials and an oxygen barrier designed for extended shelf life applications.

No.

No. Almond Breeze® products are wheat and gluten free.

No. All Almond Breeze® products are dairy-free. They do not contain lactose or casein.

No. Freezing Almond Breeze® causes the product to separate irregularly and greatly reduces the consistency of the product upon thawing.

Yes. Shelf Stable Almond Breeze® is produced via a process called ‘aseptic’. The aseptic process is a closed process and is a form of pasteurization and commercial sterilization which utilizes a very high temperature as required by federal regulations.

All Almond Breeze® varieties, except the Hint of Honey varieties, are Non-GMO Project Verified.

Shaking Almond Breeze® before serving helps to maintain product consistency. Over time, ingredients in Almond Breeze® such as cocoa powder and calcium may settle to the bottom of the carton.

No, the refrigerated Almond Breeze® products are not available directly from Blue Diamond Growers.

Unopened REFRIGERATED Almond Breeze® should be stored at a temperature of 35 to 41°F up until the “Use By” date printed on top of the carton. Keep REFRIGERATED Almond Breeze® in the middle of your refrigerator to prevent possible freezing. Avoid refrigerator door storage as it tends to be the warmest part of the refrigerator. REFRIGERATED Almond Breeze® is perishable and will spoil if not refrigerated.

After opening, REFRIGERATED Almond Breeze® should be used within 14 days and SHELF STABLE Almond Breeze® should be used within 14 days. Because Almond Breeze® does not contain preservatives, it is susceptible to bacterial growth such as mold after being opened for a prolonged period of time at room temperature. Blue Diamond® does not recommend extending the Refrigerated “Use By” or Shelf Stable “Best Before”/ “Best if Used By” time frame of Almond Breeze® and Blue Diamond® will not guarantee the quality of the product beyond this recommended time frame.

Yes. Blue Diamond® uses California almonds grown by our grower co-operative members without the use of genetic engineering or gene manipulation. The varieties of almonds available were developed using traditional agricultural breeding techniques.

Refrigerated Almond Breeze® is certified Kosher OU-D, meaning they are dairy free products made on heated equipment that may also be used for dairy products. Blue Diamond® uses stringent equipment cleaning and testing procedures to ensure that products made on dairy equipment are dairy-free. For individuals following orthodox kosher rules, dairy-free products processed on heated equipment also used for dairy may not be eaten together with a meat product. Refrigerated Almond Breeze is safe for individuals with dairy allergies.

Almond Breeze® can be used in just about any recipes calling for traditional dairy milk. It can be used in baking, soups and sauces, as well as heated up for hot drinks, etc. We do not, however, recommend Almond Breeze® for use in instant pudding.

Blue Diamond® does not add MSG (monosodium glutamate) to our products.

Products are produced in Blue Diamond® approved manufacturers across the United States.

It is required by law for food manufacturers that use preservatives in their foods to declare them in the ingredient statement. Blue Diamond® does not use any preservatives in Almond Breeze® products.

Almonds naturally have good fat that provides for a naturally creamy texture. Blue Diamond® has developed product formulas that deliver a mild tasting almondmilk with a smooth and creamy texture. Almond Breeze® is made with carefully selected almonds and quality ingredients which when combined and processed in the proper ratios results in truly unique product.

Almond Breeze® products have a mild and pleasant aroma. If your Almond Breeze® does not look, smell or taste the way it should, it may be spoiled. Signs of spoilage include:

No. Almond Breeze® is not designed for the replacement of breast milk or infant formula.

No. All Almond Breeze® products are soy-free. They do not contain any soy ingredients or soy derivatives.

All but one of our Almond Breeze® products are considered vegan and do not contain any animal products, by-products or derivatives. The exception is Almond Breeze® Hint of Honey which is not considered vegan because of the honey that is used in the making of this product.

The fat found in Almond Breeze® comes primarily from the almond oil naturally occurring in almonds with small traceable amounts from vegetable oil found in the vitamin and sunflower lecithin ingredients.

No, the potable water used in Almond Breeze® is not fluorinated.

No. Almond Breeze® cartons are not microwave safe.

If you are pregnant or nursing, be sure to talk with your doctor about food or nutrition concerns.

Sure. Our Almond Flour can be used in most recipes to replace wheat flour. You may have to change other ingredients, so experiment.

For example: Usually an extra egg or two are added depending on the dish being prepared to impart a better texture. You may also refer to the Blue Diamond® Almond Flour Recipes cookbook for delicious recipes.

No, Blue Diamond® Almond Flour does not contain any dairy ingredients.

After opening, Blue Diamond® Almond Flour should be stored in original packaging with zip closure or an airtight container away from direct heat and light. If stored well, it may be used anytime within the best before date which is printed on the bag.

Blue Diamond® Almond Flour is packed in a plastic bag which has an inner layer of low-density polyethylene material which protects the product.

It approximately takes ¾ cup of blanched whole almonds to make 1 cup of Blue Diamond® Almond Flour.

Blue Diamond® Almond Flour is non-GMO project verified.

The almonds are grown in Blue Diamond® almond orchards by our 3,000+ grower cooperative members in California. Learn more about our growers here.

Yes, Almond Flour may be stored in the freezer for up to 18 months. It is recommended to allow the almond flour to come to room temperature prior to use.

No. Blue Diamond® does not add MSG (monosodium glutamate) to our products.

Almonds are blanched (passed through boiling water) to remove the skins and then ground into a very fine texture.

No, Blue Diamond® Almond Flour does not contain any soy ingredients or soy derivatives.

Blue Diamond® Almond Flour is produced in the United States.

No, Blue Diamond® Almond Flour does not contain any egg ingredients.

There are about 4 cups of Blue Diamond® Almond Flour in one pound.

Yes. Blue Diamond® Almond Flour is certified Kosher and approved for Passover.

Blue Diamond® Almond Flour is produced in a facility that only processes almonds. Equipment is only used for processing almonds and not other ingredients of any kind.

Yes, Blue Diamond® Almond Flour is made in a peanut free plant.

Blue Diamond® Almond Flour has a shelf life of 18 months from packing date. The “best if used by” date is printed on the bag. Store in a cool, dry location free from infestation and odors to ensure product freshness.

For the best quality, we recommend consuming Blue Diamond® Almond Flour before the “best if used by” date.

Blue Diamond® Almond Flour is made from California Almonds and is produced in a facility that only processes almond products.

Please refer to Blue Diamond® Almond Flour Recipes. These recipes have the exact amounts of Almond Flour to be used in place of other flours. However, if you are preparing a dish not included in the recipes above, you may need to experiment.

Usually up to 25% of All-Purpose Flour in your recipe may be replaced with Almond Flour without having to make further changes. For 100% replacement of wheat flour for Blue Diamond® Almond Flour, you may need to experiment with the addition of an extra egg or xanthan gum.

Once opened, store the Almond Flour in original packaging with zip closure or in an airtight container. Store Blue Diamond® Almond Flour away from direct sunlight and heat.

No, Blue Diamond® Almond Flour is wheat and gluten free.

You can use equal parts of Blue Diamond® Almond Flour for the almond flour called for in your recipe. 1 pound of almond flour equates to 4 cups of almond flour.

Yes, the 48-oz (3-lb) almond flour bag is available directly from Blue Diamond Growers. You can click here to order.

No, Blue Diamond® Almond Flour does not contain peanuts.

Blue Diamond® Almond Flour has a nutty and pleasant aroma. Signs of spoilage include:

When opened, product appears to be moldy

The color has changed from off white to brown or yellow

The product has an off odor, or a rancid aroma

The almonds are not de-fatted before grinding. Blue Diamond® Almond Flour is made only from ground blanched almonds.

No. It is required by law that food manufacturers who use preservatives in their foods to declare them in the ingredient statement. Blue Diamond® Almond Flour does not use any preservatives.

Blue Diamond® Almond Flour will not dissolve in a liquid, so it will be a bit grainy and not smooth to drink. However, almond flour is safe to be consumed as packaged.

Our Nut-Thins® are packaged in air tight containers to preserve freshness. Once the packages are opened the crackers should be consumed within one to two weeks. Protect the crackers against absorption of moisture and odor by keeping the package closed in storage.

The inner bag aluminum is sandwiched between layers of plastic. Nut-Thins® are in contact with FDA approved food grade plastic film.

The ingredients used in Nut-Thins® do not contain gluten. Nut-Thins® are processed in a facility that is certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization. In addition, Blue Diamond has every production lot of Nut-Thins® tested and certified for gluten.

Non allergenic, gluten free, white rice is used in the making of Nut-Thins® crackers and brown rice is used in Artisan Nut-Thins®.

No, the inner bag is made up of layers of plastic and aluminum foil and is not recyclable.

Yes, the butter flavor is derived from dairy milk.

Yes, some of the ingredients used in the seasonings and flavors are derived from corn.

Our Smokehouse® almonds contain an FDA approved natural smoke flavor derived from the burning of hickory wood almonds.

Salt ‘n Vinegar flavored almonds and Thin Dipped almonds contain dairy.

Most of our products do not contain ingredients derived from wheat or other gluten grains. The following Blue Diamond® products contain gluten:

Jordan Almonds

Wasabi & Soy Sauce Flavored Almonds

Sweet Thai Chili Flavored Almonds

The following Blue Diamond® Almonds are suitable for vegans:

Snack Almonds
Almonds & More Roasted Sea Salt
Almonds & More Smokehouse^®
Blueberry
Chile ‘n Lime
Dark Chocolate
Elote Mexican Style Street Corn
Gourmet Garlic, Herb & Olive Oil
Gourmet Pink Himalayan Salt
Habanero BBQ
Lightly Salted
Mike’s Hot Honey
Produce Lightly Salted
Produce Sea Salt & Black Pepper
Produce Sea Salt & Blueberries
Produce Toasted Almonds & Cherries
Produce Whole Natural
Roasted Salted
Smokehouse^®
Spicy Dill Pickle
Wasabi & Soy Sauce
Whole Natural

Blue Diamond^® Almondmilks
Chocolate Protein
Signature Creamy
Sweetened Simple
Unsweetened Simple

Almond Flour

Almond Breeze^®
Banana – Chilled
Chocolate – Chilled and Shelf Stable
Extra Creamy – Chilled
Nog – Chilled
Original – Chilled and Shelf Stable
Original Almondmilk Coconutmilk – Shelf Stable
Reduced Sugar Vanilla – Chilled
Unsweetened Chocolate – Shelf Stable
Unsweetened Original – Chilled and Shelf Stable
Unsweetened Original Almondmilk Coconutmilk – Chilled and Shelf Stable
Unsweetened Vanilla – Chilled and Shelf Stable
Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk Coconutmilk – Shelf Stable
Vanilla – Chilled and Shelf Stable

Our snack almonds are packaged in air tight containers to preserve freshness. Once the packages are opened the almonds should be consumed within one to two weeks. Storing almonds in the refrigerator will extend the shelf life after opening to about four weeks. When storing products in the refrigerator use sealed containers to protect against absorption of moisture and odor.

No. Blue Diamond® uses California almonds grown by our grower co-operative members without the use of genetic engineering or gene manipulation. The varieties of almonds available were developed using traditional agricultural breeding techniques.

Recently, the Heart and Stroke Foundation decided to close the Health Check program due to multiple other labeling programs in the market. We are saddened they have discontinued the program, but we believe that while our packaging no longer carries that label, our almonds are still a delicious snack that offers several benefits to help consumers lead a healthy lifestyle.

We currently do not offer organic products.

Products such as Smokehouse contain ingredients other than almonds. These additional ingredients have fewer carbohydrates than the almonds resulting in a product with fewer carbohydrates per serving overall.

Some products use soy, such as in soy sauce, or soy derivatives, such as hydrolyzed soy protein and/or lecithin as food additives for integrity and quality. As soy is a food allergen, any product containing it will indicate “soy” in the ingredient declaration and/or “contains” statement on the label.

The salt is not iodized.

Add almonds to a sauce pan containing water. Bring the water to a boil for about one minute. Remove the almonds from the heat and let stand for several minutes. Pour the almonds and hot water through a colander. Rinse the hot almonds with cold water until they are cool and can be safely handled. Remove the skin by pinching the almond between your thumb and forefinger. Dry the blanched almonds in a 250°F oven until crisp.

While some forms of maltodextrin can contain gluten, we utilize maltodextrin made from corn, and it does not contain gluten.

Spread almonds uniformly in a shallow layer on an ungreased baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 325-350°F for 15-30 minutes until the internal nut color is golden in color. Stir occasionally for an even roast. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Almonds will continue to roast slightly and darken while cooling.

Blue Diamond® does not add MSG (monosodium glutamate) to our products.