The company’s growers will be exempt from the Produce Safety Rule because the validated pasteurization process provides the microbiological kill step required as a preventative control.
Poindexter Nut Company has been pasteurizing walnuts since its first investment in a Napasol pasteurizer in 2010.
The firm invested in a second high capacity pasteurization line and a purpose built facility started operation in December 2016.
Napasol technology combines vacuum and dry saturated steam in an autoclave. Systems cover capacities from 200 – 15,000 kg/hour (400 – 30,000 lbs/hour).
A large crop is anticipated in September, close to the size of 2016, with a good quality because of adequate rain.
Poindexter Nut Company processes over 55 million pounds of walnuts yearly, exports to 56 countries and has more than 400 employees seasonally.
Mike Poindexter, owner and CEO of the company, said it anticipates a large demand for pasteurization from the growers and has the capacity to handle it.
“The Produce Safety Rule exemption that our growers benefit from, with our capacity to pasteurize the walnuts, is a significant advantage that we offer.”