It might sound like a plot from a sitcom, but it’s no joke—poppy seeds can contain traces of opioids that lead to serious consequences, even death. Poppy seeds come from the same plant that produces narcotics like morphine and codeine. During harvesting, seeds can become contaminated with opium fluid. Though eating poppy seed bagels or bread is unlikely to harm you, drinking tea made from unwashed poppy seeds has been linked to addiction, overdoses, and fatalities.
Some websites claim poppy seed tea offers health benefits, but the truth is more dangerous. The seeds are sometimes labeled as “unwashed” or “raw” to suggest higher concentrations of opioids. Tragically, people have died from using these products. A young man, Stephen Hacala, died after consuming poppy seed tea, thinking it would help with his anxiety. His death led his family to push for new regulations to protect others from this hidden hazard.
There are also less severe, but still alarming, cases where people tested positive for opioids after eating poppy seed foods. Some women have even had their newborns taken away after failing drug tests due to poppy seed consumption.
A recent bill proposes to regulate contaminated poppy seeds, but for now, this issue continues to be under the radar. Be cautious—especially with unwashed or raw poppy seed products. And if you ever hear someone mention poppy seeds, you’ll know this issue is no joke. Stay informed, stay safe.
