Over 200 People Are Killed by the “World’s Deadliest Food” Every Year — Yet Nearly 500 Million Still Eat It

• Cheap
• Easy to grow
• Resistant to drought

For many families, cassava is a matter of survival.

Why Is Cassava So Dangerous?

Cassava naturally contains cyanogenic glycosides, chemicals that can release cyanide — a deadly poison — when the plant is eaten improperly.

There are two main types:

• Sweet cassava (lower toxin levels)
• Bitter cassava (much higher toxin levels)

If cassava is not processed correctly, it can cause acute cyanide poisoning, which may be fatal.

How People Die From It