Dried Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are nutritious legumes high in protein, fiber, folate, and iron. They contain phytohemagglutinin (a lectin) at high levels in raw beans, which can cause severe GI illness if undercooked; FDA documents that kidney beans must be soaked and boiled (not slow-cooked at low temperature) for adequate destruction.
What it is
Dried seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris (red kidney bean), a common legume staple worldwide.
Whole-food legume; protein, fiber, and complex-carbohydrate source.
Why it's flagged
- phytohemagglutinin in undercooked beans causes severe GI illness
- legume allergy in rare cases
What regulators actually say
"Phytohaemagglutinin... eating raw or undercooked kidney beans can result in severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea within 1 to 3 hours."
"Beans, kidney, red, mature seeds, raw — high in protein, fiber, folate."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Conventional food; FDA Bad Bug Book lists phytohemagglutinin from kidney beans.
European Union — EFSA
Conventional food.
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