Recalled apricot products pose cyanide risk, says food inspection agency

Bags of apricot seeds and apricot powder may lead to cyanide poisoning due to incorrect dosage information on the packages, says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in a food recall warning.

This is not a case of food contamination, as with the agency’s semi-frequent food recalls for processed chicken products that harbour salmonella.

Instead, apricot seeds naturally contain a substance called amygdalin, which, when consumed, releases cyanide.

“Small amounts of cyanide can be detoxified by the human body,” states the food recall warning, issued June 1, “but high amounts may be lethal.”

The problem with the recalled products is that the packaging includes “incorrect dosage information,” says the CFIA, “and excessive consumption may cause cyanide poisoning.”

Symptoms of cyanide poisoning may include headache, dizziness, mental confusion, weakness, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, seizures and coma.

The recall covers packages of raw apricot seeds and apricot seed meal, prepared by Ecoideas Innovations Inc.

The raw seeds are sold in packages with the expiry date of January 2021 and the following product codes: 7-280284-537130 and 7-528303-370840. The apricot seed meal is sold with the expiry date of March 2020 and this product code: 7-280284-536904.

If you have any of these packages, the CFIA says you should either throw them out or return them to the store where you bought them.

This recall was triggered by the company, and there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the products.