Poppy seeds are the edible seeds of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) and are used in food products such as breads, bagels, cakes, pastries, muffins, and oils. Poppy seeds can become contaminated with morphine, codeine, and other opium alkaloids during harvesting. As a result, consumption of poppy seeds can result in detectable levels of morphine and codeine in urine.
Recent information suggests there may be poppy seeds with higher codeine contamination than previously reported. Consumption of products containing these seeds could cause a positive result for codeine on a drug test. Although the Department of Defense (DoD) has worked on several initiatives to better distinguish poppy seed consumption from illicit codeine use, they still advise all Service Members to avoid consuming foods and dietary supplements containing poppy seeds.
For more information, please read the initial DoD memo on poppy seed consumption, the updated DoD memo from May 2024, and the infographic from the Office of Drug Demand Reduction.
Updated June 20 2024
