Mom thought she was feeding her family harmless 'almond-like' seeds. Then one woman’s mouth went numb — and they finally read the label

People tend to enjoy new foods while traveling, but it can be quite dangerous when eaten without proper instructions. An individual who goes by u/UpperSoftware4732 took to Reddit on August 24, 2026, 12 hours after a scary experience. Their mom gave a few of the family members apricot seeds after a Central European tour guide mentioned they ate them as a child. A few minutes after eating them, the family began experiencing symptoms. They only translated what was on the package after the concerning reactions. The post has since received 7,900 upvotes and 610 comments.

German packaging

During the trip, the tour guide told the mother how they roasted and ate apricot seeds as kids. They even recommended a local shop where she would find them. Weeks after the trip, during a family brunch, the mom brought out the packet of seeds and passed them around. Everyone ate them, including the mom, the grandma, the author, the sister, and the author's partner. But the grandma and partner spat them out because they did not like the bitter taste. The author and their sister, on the other hand, ate around 5 to 6 pieces. When the author's mouth started becoming numb and the mom's sinuses cleared, they started to worry. Because of the unusual reactions, they finally translated what was written on the German packaging. The warning stated that the bitter apricot kernels contained health-endangering amygdalin (hydrocyanic acid) and were “not suitable for consumption.” The packet also identified its intended use as seed, rather than food.

Poison, not snacks

Everyone tried to brush it off at first, but started panicking after they Googled their symptoms. One result said that eating more than 3 was dangerous. The author's mom was horrified at the thought that she poisoned her family. She was panicking and in the bathroom, trying to induce vomiting. They called Poison Control and were assured the amount they ate was not deadly. "They say that if we start to experience any symptoms like lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, or fever in the next eight hours, to call them back," the author explained. Thankfully, the author took to Reddit 12 hours after the incident, and said they were doing better. The author ended by writing, "I’m a little confused why the tour guide didn’t mention that these things were poisonous."

A naturally occurring toxin

Apricot kernels aren't simply dangerous because someone mistranslated a warning label. They naturally contain amygdalin, a cyanogenic compound that can release cyanide when the kernels are eaten. The European Food Safety Authority has warned that eating more than three small raw apricot kernels in a single serving can exceed its safe acute exposure level for adults, while even one small kernel can put toddlers above that level. The risk has also prompted action from U.S. regulators. In 2024, the FDA warned consumers about several bitter apricot-seed products after laboratory testing found high levels of amygdalin that could lead to cyanide toxicity. Symptoms of acute poisoning can include weakness, lightheadedness and difficulty breathing, while severe cases can involve seizures, coma and cardiovascular collapse. 

'I thought everybody knew'

People in the comment section were surprised that the author and their family did not know eating fruit seeds, especially apricot seeds, was not recommended. u/VoidHog commented, "My mom told me about the cyanide in pits when I was way young. I thought everybody knew." u/DisegnoLuce added, "I'm just glad to see you called poison control instead of asking a chatbot to be honest."

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