Two products containing apricot seeds are being recalled due to the risk of cyanide poisoning.
Bitter Raw Apricot Seeds and Apricot Seed Meal, both under the Apricot Power brand, are being pulled from retail shelves due to the natural toxin amygdalin, according to a release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The products are made by Ecoideas Innovations Inc.
“This toxin may cause acute cyanide poisoning,” the release said. “Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below as they have incorrect dosage information and excessive consumption may cause cyanide poisoning.”
The Bitter Raw Apricot Seeds are sold in both 454 g and 226 g packages. Both have the code EXP 0121 on them. The UPC on the larger package is 7 280284 537130. The UPC on the 226 g package is 7 528303 370840.
The Apricot Seed Meal is sold in a 191.4 g package with the code 0218WF March 2020, and a UPC of 7 280284 536904.
CFIA recommends the recalled products be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.
“Bitter apricot kernels naturally contain a compound called amygdalin, which has the potential to release cyanide when the kernels are ingested,” the release said. “Small amounts of cyanide can be detoxified by the human body, but high amounts may be lethal.”
Symptoms of cyanide exposure may include headache, dizziness, mental confusion, weakness, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, seizures and coma.
The company initiated the recall and CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products, the release said.
