The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released a food safety warning for bitter and sweet apricot kernels due to a natural toxin in the product.
On March 16, the agency issued a warning notice that the brand Wah Yan Tong has two products containing the natural toxin amygdalin, which may cause acute cyanide poisoning.
The affected products were sold and distributed across Canada.
So far, there have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of the products. However, CFIA warns consumers to not eat the affected product.
This alert was triggered by CFIA test results and the agency is conducting a food safety investigation.
| Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Codes |
| None (Chinese characters only) | Bitter Apricot Kernels | 150g | 6 28110 69950 3 | Best Before 2021/09/30 |
| None (Chinese characters only) | Sweet Apricot Kernels | 150g | 6 28110 69948 0 | Best Before 2020/12/31 |
According to CFIA, 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,” reads the agency’s warning statement.
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.
What you do should
Call a doctor if you become sick after consuming the food product.
Check if you have the affected products in your home.
