Two bitter apricot kernels per day are the limit for adults - children should refrain from consuming apricot kernels altogether

Bitter apricot kernels have increasingly been offered for direct consumption for some time now, especially through Internet channels. In some cases, advertisements claim that apricot kernels offer protection against cancer. However, there is no scientific evidence of any such benefits. In fact, consumption of bitter apricot kernels can lead to severe poisoning which can be fatal if larger quantities are ingested. The toxic effect of bitter apricot kernels is due to the food ingredient amygdalin. From amygdalin, cyanide is released during ingestion and digestion. The body can break down small amounts of cyanide through metabolic processes. For adults, a quantity of two large bitter apricot kernels can be regarded as safe in terms of acute poisoning symptoms. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) therefore recommends that consumers limit their intake of bitter apricot kernels to no more than two a day or that no apricot kernels are eaten at all.In the opinion of the BfR, packaging of bitter apricot kernels intended for direct consumption should carry warnings of potential health risks and state the recommended maximum daily intake. To protect children against ingestion of large quantities of bitter apricot kernels, they should only be offered in small packs. The full version of this BfR opinion is available in German on http://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/zwei-bittere-aprikosenkerne-pro-tag-sind-fuer-erwachsenedas-limit-kinder-sollten-darauf-verzichten.pdfDE; de; efsa-focal-point@bfr.bund.d