Lychee
Also known as: Litchi, Litchis
Lychee is a whole tropical fruit providing vitamin C and polyphenols. Unripe lychee contains hypoglycin A and methylenecyclopropylglycine, which has been linked to encephalopathy outbreaks in malnourished children consuming large quantities of unripe fruit on empty stomachs; ripe fruit consumed normally is safe.
What it is
Tropical fruit from the lychee tree (Litchi chinensis), with a sweet white flesh.
Eaten fresh or used canned, dried, or as juice in desserts and beverages.
Why it's flagged
- Unripe fruit + malnutrition association with hypoglycemic encephalopathy in children
What regulators actually say
"Litchis, raw - 71.5mg vitamin C per 100g"
"Outbreaks of acute encephalopathy in children associated with consumption of unripe litchi (Litchi chinensis)"
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Whole food
European Union — EFSA
Whole food
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