EFET recommendation for the consumption of bitter apricot and bitter almond kernels

Athena 2 March 2015

On the occasion of the data of the Ministry of Health and Social Insurance according to which an increased number of poisonings due to excessive consumption of apricot kernels or bitter almonds was observed in the previous year, EFET approved an opinion of the Scientific Food Control Council (ESET), which was prepared on the basis of corresponding opinions of international organizations, EU organizations as well as measures adopted by other countries, regarding the risk assessment of the consumption of bitter apricot kernels and bitter almonds and the effects on the health of consumers.

According to the approved opinion, EFET recommends:

1. to the adult consumers to consume up to 2 bitter apricot or bitter almond kernels a day and
2. at children, at pregnant and at lactating women, as particularly vulnerable population groups, the avoidance consumption of these products.

It is clarified that bitter apricot kernels as well as bitter almonds belong to the foods that contain a substance known as amygdalin from the breakdown of which cyanide compounds (hydrocyanate) are produced, which can have negative effects on humans. The potential for adverse effects on human health depends on many factors, including the number of bitter apricot kernels and bitter almonds consumed and the initial concentration of amygdalin in these products.

For more information you can find out from the EFET page

Kifisias 124 & Iatridou 2, 115 26 Athens, Tel .: 210-6971500, Fax: 210 6971501

E-mail: info@efet.gr, Internet Site: www.efet.gr