How to tell if almonds are bad? (3 ways how)

In this article, we will answer the question “How to tell if almonds are bad?”, the health consequences of eating spoiled almonds and how to safely store almonds to avoid spoilage?

How to tell if almonds are bad?

You can tell if almonds have gone bad by observing the following signs of spoilage: 

Important: eating spoiled almonds can make you very sick due to the presence of harmful microorganisms and toxins (1-5)

  1. Rancid nuts develop an off-flavor that smells like paint, nail polish, or old plastic containers. Give the almonds a whiff and if they taste anything like it, throw them away. 
  1. If you are unsure about the smell, taste a small piece of almond and if they taste sour or bitter, it is a clear indication of spoilage. 
  1. Taste a few almond snacks to check if they are palatable or not. If you do not like the flavor, discard them.

Almonds go bad because they are prone to rancidity, especially if they are stored improperly. Improper storage conditions include exposure to heat, light, and oxygen.

Almonds have a high level of unsaturated fats (6). The auto-oxidants present in almonds oxidize these fats when exposed to moisture, light, heat, or oxygen. Rancid almonds end up tasting sour or bitter and can make you sick when ingested.

Can you get sick from eating spoiled almonds?

Yes, eating spoiled almonds can pose health risks due to potential contamination or spoilage (1-5). 

Here, you can find some of the main dangers and symptoms that someone may experience after consuming spoiled almonds:

  • Aflatoxin intoxication: Almonds, especially if improperly stored, can be susceptible to aflatoxin contamination, which is produced by certain molds (1, 5). 

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds that can cause liver damage and are potentially carcinogenic. Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning may include abdominal pain, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and in severe cases, liver failure (7).

  • Foodborne bacterial infections: While less common, almonds can become contaminated with harmful bacteria, leading to foodborne illnesses.

Examples of bacterial pathogens that can cause such infections include Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria (3). Symptoms may vary depending on the specific bacterium, but common symptoms can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

  • Mold allergies: Spoiled almonds may develop mold growth, which can trigger allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to molds (8). 

Symptoms can include nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, itching, and respiratory difficulties, such as wheezing or shortness of breath (8).

You should know that the severity and specific symptoms may vary depending on individual sensitivity, the degree of spoilage, and the presence of particular contaminants. 

So, it is very important that you always check your almonds for spoilage before consuming them.

What should you do if you suspect you have eaten spoiled almonds?

If you have eaten spoiled almonds and you are experiencing symptoms or suspect adverse effects, it is important to assess your symptoms, stay hydrated, and seek medical advice if necessary. 

Severe or persistent symptoms warrant contacting a healthcare professional who can provide guidance and determine if further medical attention is needed. 

It is recommended to preserve any evidence of the spoiled almonds for potential investigation. 

You should always remember that personalized advice from a healthcare professional is crucial in situations like these, as they can provide accurate guidance and recommend appropriate treatment based on your specific circumstances.

How long do almonds last?

Raw almonds will stay fresh for at least a year and up to 2 years maximum. 

Unopened snack almonds will preserve their quality for at least a week past the best-by date. Once opened, the deterioration speeds up so it is better to not store it for extended periods of time.

In the fridge and pantry, opened snack almonds will be good for 4 weeks and 2 weeks, respectively.

The following table summarize an estimate of the shelf life of different types of almonds:

Raw natural Packaging Shelf-life 
In-shellAmbient/Bag36 months
Sliced/Diced/mealAmbient/carton/poly carton18 months
Raw blanchedPackaging Shelf-life 
Whole/silvered/Sliced/diced/mealAmbient/poly carton18 months
Oil roasted(canola or safflower)Packaging Shelf-life
Whole naturalNitrogen flushed18 months
SmokehouseNitrogen flushed18 months
Honey roasted wholeNitrogen flushed18 months
Diced naturalNitrogen flushed12 months
Dry roastedPackaging Shelf-life
Whole naturalNitrogen flushed24 months
Diced naturalNitrogen flushed12 months

Roasted almonds usually last longer because the roasting temperatures lower the mixture levels of the nuts. 

Moreover, the application of chocolate, BHT, or tocopherol coating extends the shelf-life of the almonds. BHT is a synthetic antioxidant while tocopherol is a powerful natural antioxidant.

On the other hand, raw almonds, especially those that have gone through some kind of size reduction have a reduced shelf-life due to increased moisture and surface area.

How to safely store almonds to prevent spoilage?

Almonds like any other nuts like walnuts and peanuts should be stored at low temperatures. Almonds contain a rich amount of fats and they will go rancid if exposed to warm temperatures, extreme temperature fluctuations, and moisture.

It is best to store the almonds in the fridge or freezer. However, the humid environment of the fridge or freezer might spoil the nuts. Therefore, it is recommended to store almonds in a freezer bag. 

Keep the almonds in the original packaging if it is thick and sturdy enough to block moisture and prevent the almonds from picking up any unwanted odors. 

If you have to store seasoned snack almonds for longer periods, follow the instructions provided on their label. While raw and roasted almonds are best stored in the fridge or freezer.

On the other hand, in-shell almonds will stay fresh for years when stored in a well-ventilated place in the pantry. If you want to cold store in-shell almonds, follow the same guidelines as mentioned above. When in the pantry, keep away from direct sunlight.

Conclusion:

In this article, we answered the question “How to tell if almonds are bad?”, the health consequences of eating spoiled almonds, and how to safely store almonds to avoid spoilage?

References:

1. Rodrigues P, Venâncio A, Lima N. Mycobiota and mycotoxins of almonds and chestnuts with special reference to aflatoxins. Food Res Int [Internet]. 2012 Aug 1 [cited 2023 May 28];48(1):76–90. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996912000701 

2. Pan Z, Bingol G, Brandl MT, McHugh TH. Review of Current Technologies for Reduction of Salmonella Populations on Almonds. Food Bioprocess Technol [Internet]. 2012 Aug 10 [cited 2023 May 28];5(6):2046–57. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11947-012-0789-6 

3. Deng S, Ruan R, Mok CK, Huang G, Lin X, Chen P. Inactivation of Escherichia coli on Almonds Using Nonthermal Plasma. J Food Sci [Internet]. 2007 Mar 1 [cited 2023 May 28];72(2):M62–6. Available from: https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00275.x 

4. Chai HE, Hwang CA, Huang L, Wu VCH, Sheen LY. Efficacy of gaseous chlorine dioxide for decontamination of Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes on almonds and peppercorns. Food Control [Internet]. 2022 Feb 1 [cited 2023 May 28];132:108556. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713521006940 

5. Gao Y, Guan X, Wan A, Cui Y, Kou X, Li R, et al. Thermal Inactivation Kinetics and Radio Frequency Control of Aspergillus in Almond Kernels. Foods 2022, Vol 11, Page 1603 [Internet]. 2022 May 29 [cited 2023 May 28];11(11):1603. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/11/1603 

6. Shen Q, Dong W, Yang M, Li L, Cheung HY, Zhang Z. Lipidomic fingerprint of almonds (prunus dulcis L. cv nonpareil) using TiO2 nanoparticle based matrix solid-phase dispersion and MALDI-TOF/MS and its potential in geographical origin verification. J Agric Food Chem [Internet]. 2013 Aug 14 [cited 2023 May 28];61(32):7739–48. Available from: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf4016448 

7. Drusch S, Ragab W. Mycotoxins in Fruits, Fruit Juices, and Dried Fruits. J Food Prot [Internet]. 2003 Aug 1 [cited 2023 May 15];66(8):1514–27. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12929850/ 

8. Patel P, Komorowski AS, Mack DP. An allergist’s approach to food poisoning. Ann Allergy, Asthma Immunol [Internet]. 2023 Apr 1 [cited 2023 May 5];130(4):444–51. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36334721/ 

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