What Would Jesus Pasteurize (Re: the mandatory pasteurization of almonds)?

What would Jesus pasteurize?
[This site is from 2007. Many links may be outdated.]

WOULD Yashua (who most people know as "Jesus of Nazareth") have concerns about pasteurized (cooked) foods?

There is a serious issue at hand that threatens our food and restricts consumer rights and religious freedom. Some may even consider it sacrilege!

Many accept that Yashua was a member of the Essenes, a strict sect of Judaism. Even Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2007 Easter address, referred to Jesus' connection to the Essenes.

Translations of the ancient scriptures of the Essenes include comments by Yashua regarding food we should and shouldn't eat. He actually tells his followers, among other things, that we should NOT cook our food. There is a growing number of people today that are following a raw food diet, including followers of the Essene teachings. There are countless testimonials of people who have experienced dramatic benefits after having moved to a raw diet. One staple of those on the raw diet is the raw almond. Most choose to eat organic raw almonds. Earlier this year it was decided that it would be mandatory for all almonds from California, destined for the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, to be Pasteurized starting in September 2007. All new almonds harvested on or after September 1, 2007, destined for wholesalers and retailers, were legally required to undergo pasteurization. It was primarily the "middle-men" who were pushing for this requirement.

There is a loophole... U.S. farmers are still allowed to sell truly raw (unpasteurized) almonds directly to the consumer. They do this by way of roadside markets, phone orders, mail orders, and the internet. Be sure to ask the farmer if the almonds have been pasteurized.

Be vocal: Ask your store/cooperative if their raw almonds have been pasteurized. Insist they be labelled as pasteurized if they have undergone pasteurization, whether that be by heat or otherwise. If they have been pasteurized with chemicals insist that also be labelled, so customers may make an informed choice. To not label these details may be considered fraudulent!

As it stands now, there will be no requirement to label almonds as "pasteurized". The pasteurized raw almonds might still be labeled as "raw". This not only misleads consumers, but because the almonds will have been subjected to a form of cooking, could cause raw foodists, who's bodies have let down their defense against cooked foods, to become ill. In addition, as almonds are a staple for many followers of the Essene teachings, this decision to require pasteurization (a form of cooking) prevents them from consuming truly raw (uncooked) almonds and honoring the teachings of Yashua. If they are to eat U.S. almonds, they will only be able to consume pasteurized almonds (possibly without even knowing it until becoming ill), which means they may be prevented from practicing their religion's teachings! In the United States we are guaranteed to have the freedom of religion. This ruling to require pasteurization restricts our religious freedom!

Here are some details regarding the decision to make almond pasteurization mandatory:

From:
National Health Information Center
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Grilled, fried or broiled animal products such as meats and cheeses
contain a class of toxins called "advanced glycation end
products" (AGEs), which have been linked to inflammation, insulin
resistance, diabetes, vascular and kidney disease, and Alzheimer's
disease, say a team from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New
York City.

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Nat'l
http://www.aclu.org/contact/general/index.html

John Mackey, CEO
Whole Foods Market, Inc.
550 Bowie Street
Austin, TX 78703-467