Seeds of Doubt: Department of Defense Suggests Soldiers Stop Eating BAGELS, Pastries and Muffins with Poppy Seed, as It Could Lead to Positive Drug Tests

The Department of Defense (DoD) is urging soldiers to avoid foods containing poppy seeds to avoid positive drug tests.

In a memorandum released last week, the agency warned that certain poppy seeds could cause people to show opioid levels above acceptable levels on drug tests.

Members of the US military are drug tested every year. Traces of opiates can be detected without penalty for food containing opiates.

Poppy seeds are harvested from opium poppies. When picked, the seeds are often infused with opioid extract—the same substance at the root of many painkillers.

This means service workers should avoid many foods, pastries and salad dressings that contain seeds. It is one of many hidden chemicals found in common foods.

Poppy seeds are harvested from the same plant as opium extract and many unpurified seeds are covered with the dust (file photo)

“Concerns about poppies and drug testing are not new,” Gil Cisneros, the agency’s Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, wrote in a memo.

The Department of Defense oversees each branch of the U.S. military, which includes approximately 500,000 people in seven branches.

‘… Recent data suggest that certain poppy cultivars may have higher codeine contamination levels than previously reported.

“Consumption of poppy seed products can result in a codeine-positive urine test and undermine the department’s ability to detect illegal drug use.”

He warned against eating all the poppy seeds for fear that some soldiers might test positive.

The black seeds are harvested from poppy flowers. Some of these flowers produce opium.

The drug is used as a pain reliever. It is controlled in the US, which means it can only be legally distributed under certain circumstances.

While the Department of Defense allows soldiers to use drugs if prescribed by a pharmacist, those who use them without prior authorization can be penalized.

Many harvested poppy seeds – which are allowed to be eaten by military personnel – are contaminated with opium.

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The opioid extract used to make the drug can be found on the surface of the seeds.

When it is then mixed with food, baked goods or drinks, the small traces of the drug remain with them.

These include bagels with poppy seeds and all, lemon pies – which often also contain poppy seeds for flavor – and some dressings such as honey mustard and ranch.

Poppy seed tea is also used as a source of natural pain relief – which occurs due to the effects of the seeds’ opium coating.

“Unwashed poppy seeds pose a danger to the user, and abuse can lead to unpredictable consequences, including death, when used alone or in combination with other drugs, as reported in the scientific literature,” warns the Department of Justice.

As Mr. Cisneros mentioned, this can result in a person testing positive on a drug test.

There are reports of people showing positive signs just a few hours after eating foods containing poppy seeds.

The DoD already takes this into account when testing for drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, methadone and codeine.

However, they fear that a newly discovered strain of the seeds may have higher levels of codeine contamination – an opioid used in cough syrup – than the law allows.

“Out of caution, I believe the protection of service members and the integrity of the drug testing program warrants a warning to avoid poppy seeds,” Mr. Cisneros continued.

“As more information becomes available, we will revise this policy accordingly.”

The ministry did not disclose what made it decide to issue the warning. The Department of Defense did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.

Penalties for failing a drug test depend on the rank of service members, the presence of drugs in their system, and whether they have previously failed.

This can range from a minor sentence to a dishonorable discharge and statutory penalties.