Globalnews.ca reports on a warning issued by Health Canada over the consumption of bitter apricot kernels or seeds, which it says could lead to acute cyanide poisoning. Recently, some Canadians have begun eating the seeds as snacks.
There are two types of apricot kernels; sweet and bitter. The latter contains amygdalin -often marketed as vitamin B17- and can release cyanide after it is eaten.
Cyanide poisoning can cause symptoms such as weakness, confusion, shortness of breath. Food stuffs like sweet potatoes and beans can contain traces of it, but small amounts are detoxified once eaten. Health Canada notes that several kernels would have to be eaten to cause a reaction. It urges Canadians to limit their consumption to three kernels a day.
