Ackee should only be eaten when it's fully ripe, as its unripe state contains toxins that can be deadly. The ackee fruit ...

Raw ackee contains high amounts of hypoglycin A in all its parts — about ten times the level considered safe to consume.

Ackee must be treated gently and just heated through to avoid breaking up the pieces. Fresh ackee must be ripe before eating as unripe ackee can cause vomiting.