Food companies and the federal government have been on almond alert since May, recalling millions of pounds of raw almonds because of possible salmonella contamination rarely seen in nuts.

But people need not remove almonds from their diet — though experts say they might be better off for now snacking on roasted or salted varieties or toasting raw ones at home before eating them.

About 95 percent of consumer almonds are roasted or salted, processes which kill any harmful pathogens, according to the Almond Board of California.