Pecan industry concerned about allergy issues
By: Jennifer Whittaker, Editor

Beginning with the 2006 pecan crop, growers must use containers dedicated solely to pecans for gathering, shipping or storing in-shell pecans, a member of the National Pecan Shellers Association (NPSA) told growers attending the 41st Annual Georgia Pecan Growers Association Conference, May 4.

The NPSA recently adopted its new policy regarding containers to comply with a new federal allergy labeling law that went into effect Jan. 1 and to prevent pecans from becoming cross contaminated with peanuts, Marty Harrell, a Camilla sheller, told the group.

“With the new labeling law that went into effect this year, the pecan industry wants to be proactive that growers are using containers only used for pecans,” Harrell said. “Growers should no longer use boxes or bags used to transport or store peanuts. The use of used peanut boxes and peanut sacks for pecans, along with using unwashed peanut wagons to haul pecans in bulk, is the most likely scenario for pecans to be cross contaminated with peanuts.”

Implementation of the Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act requires the labeling of any food that contains a protein derived from any one of the following foods which account for the vast majority of food allergies: peanuts, tree nuts, soybeans, cow’s milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, and wheat. Three million Americans have allergies to peanuts and or tree nuts, Harrell said, citing national statistics.

“The possibility of peanut contamination is a serious thing. If we were to have an incident in November where pecans accidentally contaminated with peanuts caused an allergic reaction it would be devastating to the entire industry,” Georgia Pecan Commission Chairman Buddy Leger said. “I know if you’ve got the peanut boxes or bags you want to use them, but we have to start over from scratch with new containers and be sure to thoroughly clean our peanut wagons.”

The issue of cross contamination hits home for pecan grower Johnny Paul DeLoach, of Dooly County, who has a grandson allergic to peanuts.

“I’ve borrowed bags from peanut buyers in the past to carry pecans to a sheller without it ever crossing my mind that this could be a problem because I know pecans are cleaned at the sheller,” DeLoach said. “When you have a seven-year-old grandson that can’t eat salted peanuts or peanut butter you realize the seriousness of food allergies. I now carry my pecans to the sheller in wagons, but I’ll be sure to clean them out.”

Although growers will have to invest some money to purchase new containers or bags, Leger said he looks at it as a savings in the long run to prevent an industry disaster.

University of Georgia Bio & Ag Engineer Paul Sumner said there are several companies that make boxes for shipping produce and peanuts that could make boxes specifically for the pecan industry. Sumner estimates that boxes capable of holding 1,200 to 1,400 pounds of pecans and capable of being stacked two high would probably cost about $12 each. Nylon tote sacks that could hold 1,200 to 1,400 pounds would probably cost $6-7, Sumner estimates.

“Whatever type of container you go to, it needs to be clearly marked that it is used for pecans only,” Sumner said.

Harrell said his processing plant has already implemented procedures to prevent cross contamination of pecans with peanuts. Growers who deliver their pecans to Harrell in bulk have to sign a verification form stating their wagons have been cleaned. Harrell has also developed a physical inspection for verifying that containers holding pecans brought to his shelling facility have been designated for pecan use only.

“Shellers are willing to work with growers to resolve this issue,” Harrell said. “We’re just trying to be proactive with this new labeling law that went into effect in January.”