ABC Form No. 54 (Exp. 11/2022) OMB No. 0581-0242

ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA

HANDLER TREATMENT PLAN

HANDLER NAME

ADDRESS

CROP YEAR: 20___

Handlers will submit an annual plan to the Almond Board of California (Board or ABC) that outlines how almonds will 

be subjected to a minimum 4-log reduction of Salmonella bacteria contamination prior to entering commercial 

channels1

. New Plans need only be submitted if there are changes in procedures, treatment facilities, etc. Any changes 

to the Plan are to be submitted and approved prior to implementation.

□ New Plan □ Updated Plan □ No Change to approved plan

I certify that the information provided in this Handler Treatment Plan is accurate. I understand that the Federal-State Inspection 

Program and the Board will verify documentation and procedures against this verification plan.

Signature: __________________________________________________

Date: ___________________________________________________

Return completed forms to: Almond Board of California, 1150 9th Street, Suite 1500, Modesto, CA 95354

Fax: (209) 550-5494

Section 1: Background Information

Please confirm the destination of your almond shipments (check all that 

apply):

□ Within the United States, or to Canada or 

Mexico (treated and/or pasteurized)

□ New Plan

Almonds shipped within the United States, or to Canada or Mexico, 

excluding those directly shipped to an ABC-approved DV user, are 

subjected to a minimum 4-log treatment which has been validated and 

approved by the ABC TERP 2at (check all that apply):

□ This Location

□ Another Location

□ Custom Processor

ABC Approved Custom Processor(s):

As an almond handler, I may choose to use an approved Custom 

Processor and process from the Almond Board List at the time of 

treatment. Prior to using a Custom Processor, I will verify that the 

process to be used has been validated and approved by the ABC TERP to 

achieve a minimum 4-log reduction for Salmonella bacteria on almonds.

□ I Agree

□ Not applicable – Exporting to locations 

outside the United States, Canada or Mexico only. 

Not using a Custom Processor.

□ Not applicable – Treating all product In-house. 

Not using Custom Processor

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, an agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of 

information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is OMB 0581-0242. The 

time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average 120 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, 

searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

 1 Exemptions are untreated almonds shipped under the DV program in the United States or to Canada or Mexico, or untreated almonds exported 

directly or through a third party to other markets. Exempt shipments must be prominently identified as “unpasteurized.” The lettering must be at least 

1⁄2 inch in height.

2 Almond Board of California Technical Expert Review Panel.
ABC Form No. 54 (Exp. 11/2022) OMB No. 0581-0242

All unpasteurized almonds shipped to approved DV Users within the United States, or to Canada or Mexico, or 

unpasteurized almonds shipped to other export markets must be prominently identified as “unpasteurized” on 

the cartons, bins or totes. The lettering must be on one outside displayed panel, at least 1⁄2 inch in height, clear and 

legible.

Are you exporting almonds that have not been treated? (If 

Yes, you must maintain a copy of the Bill of Lading for 

such shipments to prove export.)

□ Yes □ No

Are you using the DV program?3

□ Yes □ No

Section 2: Treatment Procedures On or Off-Site

Attach flow chart or briefly describe how product will flow through the treatment process (on or off site) including posttreatment packing, identification and storage. Include non-treated product storage/segregation, processing, post 

treatment packaging, and post process contamination storage control/identification/labeling.

Describe how pasteurized and unpasteurized almonds will be identified to minimize potential cross-contamination or 

entry into commercial channels prior to treatment. All unpasteurized almonds shipped to approved DV Users 

within the United States, or to Canada or Mexico, or unpasteurized almonds shipped to other export markets 

must be prominently identified as “unpasteurized” on the cartons, bins or totes. The lettering must be on one 

outside principle display panel, at least 1⁄2 inch in height, clear and legible.

On-Site Treatment Process(es): List all of the ABC TERP-approved process equipment/processes used at this facility:

Treatment Documentation. Detail the documentation that will substantiate that appropriate treatment has 

occurred. (Explain recordkeeping, production worksheets, temperature chart recorders, computer logs, etc...). 

Documentation must include but is not limited to:

a) Lot identification/tracking

Treatment Documentation continued...

b) Treatment date and time (on or off site)

 3 DV Users must apply to ABC and have completed ABC Form 51. Handlers using the DV program must contact ABC to determine if their customer 

is an approved DV User. Only direct shipments of almonds to approved DV Users can be shipped untreated. All shipments of unpasteurized almonds 

to approved DV Users must be prominently identified as “unpasteurized” on the cartons, bins and boxes. The lettering must be on one outside 

principle panel, at least 1⁄2 inch in height, clear and legible.
ABC Form No. 54 (Exp. 11/2022) OMB No. 0581-0242

c) Treatment Processing Records

d) Other

Product output. How will product be handled after treatment to ensure that the integrity of the almonds will be 

maintained (avoiding contamination)?

Section 3: Inter-Handler Transfers

Confirm how inter-handler transfer or industry purchase will be addressed.4 Describe in detail the processes, 

procedures and internal controls you will implement to ensure that all almonds received as inter-handler transfer or 

industry purchase will receive the appropriate treatment before shipment from your facility. All inter-handler transfers 

must be accompanied by an ABC Form 7, Inter-handler Transfer of Almonds.

Process to ensure treatment of untreated almonds received via inter-handler transfers:

Process to ensure treatment of untreated almonds received via industry purchase:

Process to ensure treated almonds received via inter-handler transfers are not contaminated:

Process to ensure treated almonds received via industry purchase are not contaminated:

 4 All transfers of almonds between handlers must be documented. In all instances involving inter-handler transfers, it is the 

responsibility of the receiving handler to ensure that the almonds are treated prior to shipment and to maintain documentation to that 

effect.
ABC Form No. 54 (Exp. 11/2022) OMB No. 0581-0242

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, 

offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, 

national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 

income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity 

conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American 

Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA 

through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at 

http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the 

information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-

9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.