About
Whole Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) are large, oil-rich seeds from an Amazonian tree, consumed as a snack and used in cooking and confectionery. They are exceptionally rich in selenium, healthy fats, protein, and minerals, and are frequently recommended as a natural selenium supplement.
Safety summary
Brazil nuts contain extraordinarily high and variable levels of selenium (68–91 mcg per nut), and regular consumption of more than one or two nuts per day can exceed the EFSA tolerable upper intake level of 255 mcg/day, risking selenosis. They are also susceptible to aflatoxin contamination — a genotoxic, carcinogenic mycotoxin — and contain elevated levels of naturally occurring radium and barium, though the health significance of the latter at typical intake is debated. For healthy adults consuming them in moderation (1–2 nuts/day), Brazil nuts are considered safe and nutritious.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Restricted | In 2023, EFSA set a daily upper limit for selenium of 255 µg for all adults, with lower amounts (70–230 µg) for children and teens depending on age. Consuming more than 1–2 Brazil nuts per day may exceed this limit.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Restricted | NIH/FNB tolerable upper intake level (UL) for selenium is 400 µg/day for adults. Brazil nuts contain 68–91 mcg of selenium per nut and could cause selenium toxicity if consumed regularly in large amounts.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1NIH / Office of Dietary Supplements. Selenium – Health Professional Fact Sheet. ods.od.nih.gov
- 2NIH / Office of Dietary Supplements. Selenium – Consumer Fact Sheet. ods.od.nih.gov
- 3other. Codex General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed (CXS 193-1995, revised). fao.org
- 4PubMed. Barium Levels in Brazil Nuts: A Global Review of the Literature, 2025. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5PubMed. Radium levels in Brazil nuts: A review of the literature, 2025. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6FDA. CPG Sec. 570.200 Aflatoxins in Brazil Nuts, 2021. fda.gov
