Raised an issue in regard to whether the options had Food Safety FSANZ understands that the majority of kernels are being sold with skin considered the sale of raw apricot kernel skin (as it is Standards and on due to the purported health benefits. Recent advice is that the high in laetrile) although it is noted that the draft Regulation Health majority of HCN is contained in the apricot kernel pulp and not in the skin variation includes raw apricot kernels or any Protection Unit suggesting that there are no public health and safety concerns from the substance derived there from. Department of skin. Health Queensland FSANZ has proposed in the Call for Submissions Report that an ML The Call for Submissions and the supporting documents do not discuss the risks associated with Government would not serve as an effective mitigation measure for HCN in raw cooked apricot kernels or provide any information in apricot kernels, which would include heat-treated kernels because of the relation to the published cases referred to of cyanide variability in levels of HCN in apricot kernels. poisoning from eating cooked apricot kernels. An issue to consider could include whether light roasting of However, the amended drafting in section 2.3.2 addresses the issue of a apricot kernels makes them safe to consume. If there is treatment or processing step (such as heating) being applied to render a risk from eating cooked or partly cooked apricot the final food safe for human consumption. kernels then consideration should to be given to prescribing a maximum limit for hydrocyanic acid in FSANZ will maintain the . heat treated apricot kernels. If the recommended regulatory measure is accepted and the sale of raw hulled and unhulled apricot kernels is prohibited (with the exceptions noted in the FSANZ Call for Submissions paper), it will still be possible for consumers to purchase fresh whole apricots to obtain raw apricot kernels. As such, consideration would need to be given to maintaining some authoritative information for the public on the FSANZ or Commonwealth Department of Health website warning of the dangers of consuming apricot kernels.
Raised an issue in regard to whether the options had considered the sale of raw apricot kernel skin (as it is high in laetrile) although it is noted that the draft variation includes raw apricot kernels or any substance derived there from. The Call for Submissions and the supporting documents do not discuss the risks associated with cooked apricot kernels or provide any information in relation to the published cases referred to of cyanide poisoning from eating cooked apricot kernels. An issue to consider could include whether light roasting of apricot kernels makes them safe to consume. If there is a risk from eating cooked or partly cooked apricot kernels then consideration should to be given to prescribing a maximum limit for hydrocyanic acid in heat treated apricot kernels. If the recommended regulatory measure is accepted and the sale of raw hulled and unhulled apricot kernels is prohibited (with the exceptions noted in the FSANZ Call for Submissions paper), it will still be possible for consumers to purchase fresh whole apricots to obtain raw apricot kernels. As such, consideration would need to be given to maintaining some authoritative information for the public on the FSANZ or Commonwealth Department of Health website warning of the dangers of consuming apricot kernels. Food Safety Standards and Regulation Health Protection Unit Department of Health Queensland Government FSANZ understands that the majority of kernels are being sold with skin on due to the purported health benefits. Recent advice is that the majority of HCN is contained in the apricot kernel pulp and not in the skin suggesting that there are no public health and safety concerns from the skin. FSANZ has proposed in the Call for Submissions Report that an ML would not serve as an effective mitigation measure for HCN in raw apricot kernels, which would include heat-treated kernels because of the variability in levels of HCN in apricot kernels. However, the amended drafting in section 2.3.2 addresses the issue of a treatment or processing step (such as heating) being applied to render the final food safe for human consumption. FSANZ will maintain the .