Poppy
Poppy seeds are a recognized food and a source of healthy fats, fiber, calcium, and iron. However, FDA has documented opiate-alkaloid contamination on poppy seeds at levels far exceeding the EU 20 mg/kg threshold and has linked unwashed-seed 'poppy seed tea' to 11 deaths.
What it is
Seeds of Papaver somniferum (poppy plant), used as a culinary ingredient.
Whole-food seed used as a topping, filling, or oil source.
Why it's flagged
- Opiate alkaloid surface contamination
- Death reports from poppy seed tea
- May trigger positive opiate drug screen
What regulators actually say
"FDA has detected levels of morphine in poppy seeds ranging up to 520 milligrams per kilogram and codeine levels equivalent to up to 255 milligrams per kilogram of morphine, well in excess of the level of 20 milligrams per kilogram for opiate alkaloids considered safe in poppy seeds by European authorities. To date, FDA has received 11 reports of deaths purportedly associated with the consumption of homemade poppy seed tea."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Whole food; FDA developing draft action levels for opiate alkaloids (2025).
European Union — EFSA
EU upper guidance level of 20 mg/kg morphine equivalents on bakery seeds.
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