Addressing preventable harm from contaminated poppy seeds

When poppy producers fail to follow important processing steps to reduce opiate contamination, poppy seeds pose risks to consumers. Exposure to contaminated poppy seeds in food can result in unintentional intoxication and false positive drug tests. People may also use the opiates in contaminated poppy seeds for the purpose of intoxication, or to provide claimed health benefits including the treatment of pain, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal.

To address the harms posed by contaminated poppy seeds, the Center for Science in the Public Interest is urging federal authorities to take action by setting and enforcing maximum limits for opiate content, and removing contaminated seeds from the market.

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