The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a national warning for a brand of apricot kernels due to excessive amounts of a toxin that may cause cyanide poisoning.
The warning, issued Thursday (May 27), is for the Our Father's Farm product “Bitter Apricot Kernels” and “Extremely Bitter Apricot Kernels.” The kernels are sold in 454 gram, 908 g, 1.8 kg bags and most have the best before the date of January 1, 2022. The CFIA states the product may have been sold nationally and through Internet sales.
Apricot kernels naturally contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide after being eaten. The body can eliminate small amounts of cyanide, but larger amounts can result in cyanide poisoning which could lead to death, the notice states.
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include weakness and confusion, anxiety, restlessness, headache, nausea, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, seizures and cardiac arrest.
The warning was triggered by CFIA test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of these or other products.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.
For more information on the warning, you can check out the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s website.
