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Jamaican Vomiting Sickness
Jamaican Ackee Poisoning

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Jamaican Vomiting Sickness | Jamaican Ackee PodJamaican Vomiting Sickness | Jamaican Ackee Pod

by Sheree-Anita Shearer | Associate Writer

As the recent saying goes, “I was today years old when I learned there was such a thing as “Jamaican vomiting sickness.” My initial thought was “What are they blaming us for now?”

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But, rather than going off on a rant, I decided to do some research. This proved to be an eye-opener, as it was while researching that I realised, this was something that I had definitely taken for granted. That's when I thought, “Now that I know, shouldn’t everybody?”

There is a universal awareness among Jamaicans that one of the main components of our National Dish, as delicious as it is, can be deadly if not prepared properly. Consequently, even in Jamaica, it is not uncommon to offer someone ackee and they refuse.

Ackee is the root cause of Jamaican Vomiting Sickness and I am here to share what little I know about it with you.

What causes ackee poisoning?

From the 19th century, it was found that ackee was the source of the illness and since ackee is popularly associated with Jamaica, it was christened Jamaican vomiting sickness. Unopened pods were found to contain high levels of toxicity that would lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting and even death.

What enzyme is responsible for Jamaican Ackee poisoning?

For this, I am learning along with you. It had never crossed my mind to research why the ackee is so deadly if it was eaten before it was ready. All I knew is when to not eat it. But

The unripe fruit contains high levels of cholestatic hepatotoxin, hypoglycin A, which produces a clinical syndrome of GI distress and microvesicular steatosis, which we call Jamaican vomiting sickness. Hepatotoxin A interferes with the way our body processes sugar. This sends victims into a state of hypoglycemia so extreme that it can result in coma or death.

When would the ackee cause Jamaican vomiting sickness?

Jamaican Vomiting Sickness | Jamaican Ackee Unopened Pod (Poisonous)Jamaican Vomiting Sickness | Jamaican Ackee Unopened Pod (Poisonous)

If the pods are not fully opened, on their own then they will cause abdominal distress. Also if the ackee isn’t rid properly of the red lining from the pod before being boiled it can also cause illness.

Symptoms of Ackee poisoning

You can identify ackee poisoning, within 2 to 6 hours after the individual has consumed the dish. It will present itself in excessive vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, diarrhoea, profuse sweating, altered mental status and hyperglycemia. In some cases, persons have experienced seizures, hypothermia and the worst case, death.

Can you survive ackee poisoning?

Toxicity is dose-dependent, how much did you have? Recovering time is usually within a week; after the first 48 hours, the likelihood of succumbing to poisoning is less. So yes, you can survive ackee poisoning.

How to treat ackee poisoning?

It is advised to maintain your blood glucose level and stay hydrated as the vomiting will cause significant dehydration. But I highly recommend going to the doctor above anything else.

What part of the ackee do you eat?

Jamaican Vomiting Sickness | Jamaican Ackee Pod (Opened)Jamaican Vomiting Sickness | Jamaican Ackee Pod (Opened)

The yellow fruit should be removed from the fully opened pods, and their black seeds and the red lining removed. This means the pods, seeds, red membrane and everything else should be thrown away.

Is cooked ackee poisonous?

If the fruit was taken from unopened pods it is still poisonous even when it is cooked. If the ackee was retrieved from the tree and prepared correctly then you will be fine.

Can ackee mature off the tree?

No, allow the pods to fully open naturally on the tree. Do not pick them up and wait on them to ripen at home.

Is canned ackee good for you?

Canned ackees will not make you sick unless you have an aversion to canned food. If you are a little uneasy, you can stick to more reputable brands, ones you buy products from all the time, Grace is a good option.

Can you bring ackee back with you from Jamaica?

Raw ackee pods are a no. But, cooked or frozen ackees can be carried, I recommended partially cooking the ackee and freezing it.

Despite it having “legends of death” as I once heard someone refer to it, Jamaicans are cautious when picking the fruits and from who we purchase whether cooked or uncooked. We have mastered the art of Ackee both the traditional and the vegan option. 

Ackee and SaltfishAckee and Saltfish

Don’t be afraid to try it on vacation or try it one your own with this simple recipe!

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Return to Jamaican Herbs and Remedies from Jamaican Vomiting Sickness
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References & Sources For Jamaican Vomiting Sickness

  1. MyRecipes. 2022. That Time I Almost Poisoned My In-Laws with Ackee and Saltfish. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 August 2022].
  2. MyRecipes. 2022. That Time I Almost Poisoned My In-Laws with Ackee and Saltfish. [online] Available at: [Accessed 28 August 2022].
  3. Surmaitis, R. and Hamilton, R., 2022. Ackee Fruit Toxicity. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: [Accessed 28 August 2022].

Jamaican Vomiting Sickness | Written: August 29, 2022

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