Food Standards Australia New Zealand: The retail sale of raw apricot kernels is prohibited from today, when changes to the Food Standards Code come into effect.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said FSANZ has found that raw apricot kernels (both with and without skin) pose an acute public health and safety risk.

“Raw apricot kernels contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are broken down to release cyanide when eaten,” Mr McCutcheon said.

“There have been a number of cases of cyanide poisoning related to consumption of apricot kernels, with some consumers eating them believing they can help cure or prevent cancer, although there is no credible evidence that is the case.”

Read the media release at Food Standards Australia New Zealand