Food Recall Warning - Consumption of certain apricot kernel products may cause cyanide poisoning

Product photos are available: https://www.inspection.gc.ca/eng/1615607619889/1615607625484

OTTAWA, ON, March 12, 2021 /CNW/ - Industry is recalling certain apricot kernel products from the marketplace due to natural toxin amygdalin. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below as they contain excessive amygdalin which may cause acute cyanide poisoning.

The following products have been sold as indicated in the table below.

Recalled products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Codes	Additional information
Apricot Power	Bitter Raw Apricot Seeds	226.8 g	7 528303 370840	EXP0121	National
Chen-Chen	Dried Apricot North Almond Seeds	170 g	0 20616 99366 4	Best Before:10.NOV.2021	British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan
Double Happiness	Dried Apricot Seed Mix	200 g	6 26430 00016 0	Best before 30/12/2020	British Columbia, Alberta
Earth Notions	Raw Bitter Apricot Kernels	454 g	6 89076 42028 0	Best before: April 2020 Lot #: AK1803   Best before: April 2021 Lot #: AK1904	Ontario and nationally through Internet sales
Natural Herbs Trading Co., Ltd.	Bitter Apricot Kernels	100 g	None	3106030	British Columbia
Organic Traditions	Dried Bitter Apricot Kernels	227 g	6 27733 00900 3	All lot codes	National
Surrey Natural Foods	Organic Bitter Apricot Kernels	Variable	Starting with 0 201614	All Packed on dates up to and including 21-MR-12	British Columbia

What you should do

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.

Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

Apricot kernels naturally contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide after being eaten. The human body can eliminate small amounts of cyanide, but larger amounts can result in cyanide poisoning, which could lead to death.

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.

• Cyanide in apricot kernels
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• View our detailed explanation of the food safety investigation and recall process
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Background

This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.

Illnesses

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

SOURCE Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

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Related Links

http://www.inspection.gc.ca