What the Science Says The expert panel looked closely at several key questions growers often hear from buyers and regulators: • Is it safe? Yes. Toxicology, genotoxicity and environmental contaminant exposure assessments found no safety concerns at intended use levels. • How much would people actually consume? Even high-end consumption estimates were well below levels associated with any adverse effects, providing wide safety margins. • How is it made? AHP is produced using the same well established industrial equipment and processes already used
For growers, this matters because diversified demand is often the first step toward improved and more stable byproduct economics. A Stewardship Story Buyers Want to Hear There’s another angle that resonates well beyond the orchard: sustainability. Almonds are already “zero waste” – everything coming out of the orchard is used. Expanding the option to use almond hulls as a food ingredient supports a more circular use of the crop, finding value in parts of the almond fruit that were previously limited to low-return outlets. The GRAS determination explicitly notes the opportunity to unlock new, high-value food applications for almond hulls while supporting broader sustainability and innovation goals. That story aligns closely with what many food companies are looking for today, ingredients that are natural, safe, functional and responsibly sourced. The Bottom Line for Growers Almond Hull Powder earning GRAS status doesn’t change the hull market overnight. But it does something just as important; it expands what’s possible. By clearing the scientific and regulatory considerations for human food use, almond hulls move from being only a feed ingredient to becoming a potential food ingredient as well. Over time, that shift could translate into new demand streams, new partnerships and a stronger value proposition for growers. For an industry always looking to make the most of every pound harvested, this milestone is worth paying attention to. Article Contributed by the Almond Board of California
commercially for almond and food industry, including sorting, cleaning, thermal drying and milling.
In short, the science supports what growers already suspected: almond hulls are a natural, well-understood agricultural product with untapped potential. What This Could Mean for the Hull Market GRAS status doesn’t instantly create new demand, but it removes a major barrier. The expert review means food companies can now seriously explore AHP as an ingredient without having to clear safety hurdles themselves. That opens the door to: • New markets beyond traditional feed channels • Higher-value applications tied to human nutrition and functional foods • More diversified demand, reducing reliance on any single end use The announcement also points to the next steps already underway, including finalizing processing parameters and external engagement with food manufacturers and partners.
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