Brazil nuts

[treacle tart]

For the last few years, i've been unable to get hold of / buy Brazil nuts in their shells. Is there any specific reason for this?

[smartowl]

Evidently it is something about dangerous chemicals being released from large quantities of Brazil nuts in transit.
They are still available shelled.

[treacle tart]

Thanks smartowl. I asked because i heard years ago that the best source of selenium or zinc came from brazil nuts straight from the shell and thought this would be the better way to eat them. If there is not much difference, then i don't suppose it matters. Thanks again.

[filthiestfis]

I could swear my local waitrose sells them in their shells.

[mrs_overall]

You can still buy them but you have to hunt around. Tesco had some in before Xmas.
There is a toxin in the shell which could be harmful and allegedly causes cancer, but you would have to eat about a ton of shells to be at risk. I guess in these days of Elf'n'Safety the suppliers are being careful.

The only nut that is not allowed to be sold in its shell is the cashew.

[treacle tart]

Thanks! I asked in my local Holland & Barrett today and the woman behind the till swears they had them in some supermarket at Christmas. Oh well, thanks for your answers and i'll have another try next year.