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RASFFReference 2026.6439

High content of hydrocyanic acid in apricot paste from the Syrian Arab Republic, via the Netherlands

Official information organised for easier consultation. The source publication remains authoritative.

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RASFF

Identification and classification

Reference
2026.6439
Notification ID
859995
Classification
alert notification
Risk decision
serious
Product type
food
Notification basis
official control on the market
Status
ec_validated

RASFF

Product

Description
Apricot paste
Distribution status
Description
no distribution from notifying country
Notification ID
222
Notification ID
30860540
Category
Description
fruits and vegetables
Notification ID
18448
Product descriptions
  1. Notification ID
    30860591
    labelling
    MHD 01.10.2026; LOT#141018
    productAspect
    orangefarbene, flachgewalzte, schnittfeste Fruchtmasse ///Unofficial translation: orange-colored, flat-rolled, firm fruit pulp
    temperature
    Description
    ambient
    Notification ID
    27368
    weight
    400.0
    weightUnit
    Description
    g
    Notification ID
    18974

RASFF

Risk and analytical results

hazardObserved
Unofficial translation: The measured hydrocyanic acid content is unusually high for the listed ingredients. Based on literature data on hydrocyanic acid and hydrocyanic acid glycoside levels in foods, the apricot component is the only plausible natural source for the significant hydrocyanic acid finding. Taking into account the declared percentage of 62%, this results in a cyanide content of 13.45 ± 4.03 mg/kg for the apricot portion. Apricots contain the cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin, which, however, is found primarily in the pits. The fruit pulp contains little to no amygdalin. Microscopic examination of the sample detected stone cells. Based on the microscopy results and the conspicuous hydrocyanic acid content, it can be assumed that apricot fruit pulp was not the only ingredient used. It is recommended to inform the manufacturer of the results and, for example, to review the formulation to verify whether apricot pits containing amygdalin were used.
Notification ID
138743

RASFF

Hazards

  1. analyticalResult
    Blausäure 8,34 +/- 2,50 mg
    Hazard category
    Description
    biological contaminants
    Notification ID
    30860620
    maxPermittedLvl
    Aprikosenkerne 20 mg/kg - ppm
    maxPermittedLvlQuantities
    Aprikosenkerne 20
    maxPermittedLvlUnit
    mg/kg - ppm
    Name
    cyanide - too high content - biological contaminants
    samplingDate
    25-03-2026 00:00:00
    unit
    /kg

RASFF

Measures

  1. Action taken
    Description
    product (to be) redispatched or destroyed
    Notification ID
    18954
    Notification ID
    30860676
    takenBy
    Notification ID
    5007
    isoCode
    DE
    organizationName
    Germany

RASFF

Origin, notification and distribution

Origin
Syria
Notifying country or territory
Germany
Published distribution
Germany, Netherlands
Affected territories
Germany · Netherlands

RASFF

Published territorial roles

  1. Roles
    1. Role
      NOTIFYING
      notificationId
      859995
    2. Role
      NOTIFYING
      notificationId
      859995
    3. Role
      DISTRIBUTION
      notificationId
      859995
    Organisation
    code
    DE
    countryNetworkOrganizationId
    5007
    Description
    Germany
    Notification ID
    3
  2. Roles
    1. Role
      FOR_FOLLOW_UP
      notificationId
      859995
    2. Role
      DISTRIBUTION
      notificationId
      859995
    3. Role
      OPERATOR
      notificationId
      859995
    Organisation
    code
    NL
    countryNetworkOrganizationId
    5026
    Description
    Netherlands
    Notification ID
    38
  3. Roles
    1. Role
      ORIGIN
      notificationId
      859995
    2. Role
      OPERATOR
      notificationId
      859995
    Organisation
    code
    SY
    countryNetworkOrganizationId
    5212
    Description
    Syria
    Notification ID
    10207

RASFF

Follow-ups

  1. additionalInfoId
    30864216
    fupDate
    20-07-2026 15:37:18
    fupId
    860301
    fupNumber
    1
    networkOrganizationId
    1
    organizationCode
    EU
    organizationDescription
    European Commission

RASFF

Additional information

  1. contactPerson
    E-Mail: schnellwarnsystem@bvl.bund.de
    Notification ID
    30860541
    Organisation
    Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit, Gerichtstr. 49, 13347 Berlin
  2. Notification ID
    30864216
    Organisation
    European Commission

RASFF

5007
  1. countryNetworkOrganizationId
    5007
    Notification ID
    16
    link
    http://www.lebensmittelwarnung.de

Provenance and context

NagameAlert organises public RASFF data while preserving official values and keeping notification classification separate from the risk decision. The official record remains authoritative and should be checked for follow-ups and current status.