New public health warning: You could be at risk if you consume too many poppy seeds
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Who doesn't love a good bagel with a nice smear of cream cheese? Just thinking about it makes our mouths water!
But did you know that those little black seeds on top could have some pretty dangerous side effects if you eat too many of them?
For people who might not know, poppy seeds come from the poppy flower, which is also where the drug opium comes from. Powerful pain relievers such as morphine and codeine are also derived from the plant.
Australia is one of the biggest exporters of poppy seeds. At one point, it was even reported that Tasmania made up half of the world's supply. (That's a lot!)
But due to the potentially lethal nature of the plant's capsules, cultivation of the crop is strictly regulated. Beverages made with poppy seeds, such as tea, have been reported to be responsible for deadly overdoses in several cases.
While this may sound alarming, be assured that poppy seeds are generally perfectly safe to eat, provided that you consume them in moderation and they are washed thoroughly by manufacturers.
This brings us to the latest health warnings.
Unfortunately, it seems like not all poppy seeds are being properly cleaned before they're sold to consumers. According to Victoria Health, non-food grade poppy seeds have 'incorrectly' entered the food supply chain.
And now, there are several victims reportedly needing treatment for suspected high levels of thebaine toxicity.
What is thebaine?
Thebaine is an opiate, just like morphine and codeine. The primary function of these substances is pain relief and management. However, they also have several side effects, such as a calming feeling, making a person feel too sleepy or even giving them a high.
And even though it's not as addictive as heroin and morphine, thebaine is still dangerous. Habitual use induces physical and mental deterioration in a person and may even shorten their life.
Even though poppy seeds don't contain any opium content themselves, when consumed in large quantities, they can still cause serious health problems.
So far, there have been 12 reported cases of people becoming ill after eating contaminated poppy seeds in Australia (with more popping up nationally). Symptoms include vomiting, seizures and even cardiac arrest.
So what can you do to protect yourself? For starters, avoid eating large quantities of poppy seeds. It's also a good idea to check with your local health department to see if there have been any recent recalls in your area.
Recently, Food Standards Australia New Zealand has announced a recall of poppy seeds sold by five brands at Woolworths, Coles, IGA, online and other independent retailers. The affected products include:
Here are some of the symptoms of ingesting toxic poppy seeds:
Call Triple Zero (000) for emergency assistance, or head over to your nearest emergency department. If you or someone you know needs help with alcohol or drug use, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 or visit directline.org.au for information and support to access treatment.
The National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline is available 24/7 at 1800 250 015. This service is free and offers confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, offers support, information, counselling and referral to services.
As always, we here at the SDC want you to stay safe and healthy – so be sure to take care when consuming anything that could potentially be harmful to your health. We hope the information in this article is helpful!
But did you know that those little black seeds on top could have some pretty dangerous side effects if you eat too many of them?
For people who might not know, poppy seeds come from the poppy flower, which is also where the drug opium comes from. Powerful pain relievers such as morphine and codeine are also derived from the plant.
Australia is one of the biggest exporters of poppy seeds. At one point, it was even reported that Tasmania made up half of the world's supply. (That's a lot!)
But due to the potentially lethal nature of the plant's capsules, cultivation of the crop is strictly regulated. Beverages made with poppy seeds, such as tea, have been reported to be responsible for deadly overdoses in several cases.
Consuming too many poppy seeds can be bad for your health. Credit: Pexels/Castorly Stock.
While this may sound alarming, be assured that poppy seeds are generally perfectly safe to eat, provided that you consume them in moderation and they are washed thoroughly by manufacturers.
This brings us to the latest health warnings.
Unfortunately, it seems like not all poppy seeds are being properly cleaned before they're sold to consumers. According to Victoria Health, non-food grade poppy seeds have 'incorrectly' entered the food supply chain.
And now, there are several victims reportedly needing treatment for suspected high levels of thebaine toxicity.
What is thebaine?
Thebaine is an opiate, just like morphine and codeine. The primary function of these substances is pain relief and management. However, they also have several side effects, such as a calming feeling, making a person feel too sleepy or even giving them a high.
And even though it's not as addictive as heroin and morphine, thebaine is still dangerous. Habitual use induces physical and mental deterioration in a person and may even shorten their life.
No one has been harmed by eating poppy seeds in baked goods, only in large quantities as a drink. Credit: Pexels/Sergey Meshkov.
Even though poppy seeds don't contain any opium content themselves, when consumed in large quantities, they can still cause serious health problems.
So far, there have been 12 reported cases of people becoming ill after eating contaminated poppy seeds in Australia (with more popping up nationally). Symptoms include vomiting, seizures and even cardiac arrest.
So what can you do to protect yourself? For starters, avoid eating large quantities of poppy seeds. It's also a good idea to check with your local health department to see if there have been any recent recalls in your area.
Recently, Food Standards Australia New Zealand has announced a recall of poppy seeds sold by five brands at Woolworths, Coles, IGA, online and other independent retailers. The affected products include:
- Eumarrah Poppy Seeds
- Hoyts Poppy Seeds
- Gaganis Premium Australian Poppy Seed
- Poppy Seeds by East West Foods Wholesale Pty Ltd
- Royal Fields Poppy Seeds by Basfoods International Pty Ltd.
Thebaine (or paramorphine) is a naturally occurring opioid alkaloid in the poppy plant. Credit: Pexels/Pixabay.
Here are some of the symptoms of ingesting toxic poppy seeds:
- tachycardia (a heart rate over 100 beats a minute)
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- hypertonia (stiff limbs)
- clonus (involuntary muscle movements)
- unsteady gait
- diaphoresis (sweating)
- limb stiffness or jerking
- seizures
- metabolic acidosis
- acute kidney injury
Call Triple Zero (000) for emergency assistance, or head over to your nearest emergency department. If you or someone you know needs help with alcohol or drug use, call DirectLine on 1800 888 236 or visit directline.org.au for information and support to access treatment.
The National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline is available 24/7 at 1800 250 015. This service is free and offers confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs, offers support, information, counselling and referral to services.
As always, we here at the SDC want you to stay safe and healthy – so be sure to take care when consuming anything that could potentially be harmful to your health. We hope the information in this article is helpful!
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