Thursday, 12 May 2016

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today advised consumers not to eat apricot kernels, as eating them can lead to a risk of cyanide poisoning. It states that raw, unprocessed apricot kernels, as well as the powdered form, should be avoided. The FSAI stresses that children should not eat these products. For those adults who do decide to continue to eat them despite this warning, they should not exceed more that 1-2 apricot kernels per day. This advice relates to both bitter and sweet apricot kernels.

The FSAI states that at present 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 labelling should state that children should not eat these apricot kernels and adults should eat no more than 1-2 small kernels per day, due to the risk of cyanide poisoning.

The FSAI has previously advised of the dangers of consuming apricot kernels. Its warning today is in light of a recently published scientific evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority which confirms the health risk associated with these kernels.

Apricot kernels contain the naturally occurring plant toxin amygdalin, which converts to cyanide after eating. 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 that bitter almonds are also to be avoided, as they can contain the same toxic chemical. The FSAI has published a Q&A on the matter on FAQs.