Irish consumers at risk of cyanide poisoning from apricots

Anyone who eats apricot kernels could be at risk of cyanide poisoning, according to a new alert issued by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

The FSAI has advised consumers not to eat the kernels, as eating them can lead to a risk of cyanide poisoning.

The authority said children in particular should avoid the fruit’s seeds, which some advocates claim are hugely nutritious and contain cancer-fighting agents.

It said raw, unprocessed apricot kernels, as well as the powdered form, should be avoided.

The FSAI said adults who continue to eat them despite the warning should not exceed more that two apricot kernels per day.

The advice relates to both bitter and sweet apricot kernels.

The authority said that as it stands there are no legal restrictions on the sale of apricot kernels. However, this is under review by the European Commission.

“In the meantime, food businesses who may be selling these products should label them with appropriate warnings to protect consumers,” the FSAI said in a statement.

“The labelling should state that children should not eat these apricot kernels and adults should eat no more than one or two small kernels per day, due to the risk of cyanide poisoning.”

The FSAI has previously advised of the dangers of consuming apricot kernels.

Its new warning is in light of a recently published scientific evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority that confirms the health risk associated with these kernels.

Apricot kernels contain the naturally occurring plant toxin amygdalin, which converts to cyanide after consumption.

Side-effects

Cyanide poisoning can cause nausea, fever, headaches, insomnia, thirst, lethargy, nervousness, joint and muscle aches and pains and falling blood pressure.

In extreme cases, it is fatal.

The FSAI is also advising consumers to avoid bitter almonds, as they can contain the same toxic chemical.