Food Safety Recall round-up 26 January - 1 February 2018
Hydrogen cyanide in apricot kernels
Netherlands: Erica Kruiderijen has recalled all batches of apricot kernels due to high levels of hydrogen cyanide.
It said a 'very high' value of hydrogen cyanide was found in an examined sample and eating the product could be dangerous to health.
The firm asked consumers not to eat the product and return it to Erica stores.
Eating more than three small raw apricot kernels or less than half of one large kernel can exceed safe levels, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2016.
A naturally-occurring compound called amygdalin in apricot kernels converts to cyanide after eating.
Cyanide poisoning can cause nausea, fever, headaches, insomnia, thirst, lethargy, nervousness, joint and muscle various aches and pains and falling blood pressure. In extreme cases it is fatal.