US Army Warns Soldiers Not To Eat Poppy Seeds

It sounds like something straight out of a sitcom, but for soldiers, it’s no laughing matter. The US Army recently issued a new regulation advising service members to avoid eating foods that contain poppy seeds.

Yes, that means your favorite “everything” bagel could land you in hot water by causing you to fail a drug screening.

This move isn’t about nitpicking food choices—it’s rooted in science. The seeds from the opium poppy plant, depending on how they’re harvested, can sometimes contain trace amounts of morphine and codeine. These are serious opiates that are banned under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

While poppy seeds may seem harmless, they can occasionally carry enough of these substances to trigger a positive drug test, even though you haven’t been anywhere near illegal drugs.

What’s the Deal with Poppy Seeds?

Poppy seeds come from the opium poppy plant, scientifically known as Papaver somniferum, a plant with a colorful—and sometimes controversial—history. Originating in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) around 5000 BC, the opium poppy has been cultivated for centuries, not just for its seeds but also for its medicinal and psychoactive properties.

The seeds themselves are used in various dishes around the world, particularly in baked goods like bagels, pastries, and rolls. You’ve probably also seen poppy seed salad dressings on restaurant menus or grocery shelves. While poppy seeds are packed with antioxidants and minerals, the kicker is that they sometimes contain trace amounts of opium alkaloids like morphine and codeine. Even though these seeds are typically cleaned and processed, small amounts of opiates can still cling to them.

Historically, the opium poppy plant has had far more serious uses. Ancient civilizations, from the Sumerians to the Greeks, used the plant not just for culinary purposes but also as a sedative and pain reliever. In fact, the plant played a significant role in trade routes across Europe and Asia, and later on, it was a key factor in the infamous Opium Wars between China and Britain in the 19th century.

What’s the Army Saying Now?

So why is the Army so concerned? It’s all about those unexpected drug test results.

According to the Army’s new regulation, certain varieties of poppy seeds may have higher levels of opiates than previously thought. This could cause soldiers to fail a drug screening—even if the only “drug” they consumed was a poppy seed muffin.

“Soldiers are encouraged to avoid consuming foods containing poppy seeds, as newer seeds variety may contain elevated levels of codeine,” the Army’s updated regulation states. “Although drug testing laboratories have implemented additional measures to distinguish poppy seeds ingestion from codeine misuse, soldiers should make every effort to avoid these food products.”
—cited by Military.com

The Army isn’t the first to flag this issue. In February 2023, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued a memo warning all service members about the risks of eating poppy seed-containing foods.

They found that some seeds contain enough morphine and codeine to trigger a false positive in urinalysis tests. This memo came after a review of scientific studies, which revealed that certain poppy seed varieties have higher-than-expected contamination levels.

Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr., the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, explained in the memo that even a small amount of poppy seeds could undermine the military’s ability to detect actual illicit drug use.

“Recent data suggests certain poppy seeds varieties may have higher codeine contamination than previously reported,” Cisneros stated. “Consumption of poppy seed products could cause a codeine-positive urinalysis result and undermine the department’s ability to identify illicit drug use.”
—Department of Defense

And while military drug testing labs have taken steps to better distinguish between poppy seed ingestion and actual drug use, the safest bet is for soldiers to avoid poppy seed products altogether.

What’s at Stake for Service Members?

Failing a drug test in the military is no small thing. A positive result for codeine or morphine can lead to disciplinary actions, loss of rank, or even discharge.

The Army is taking this seriously and wants to ensure that soldiers aren’t being unfairly penalized for something as innocent as eating a bagel.

In response to these concerns, the Army has not only issued this new advisory but also made changes to its drug testing program.

Earlier this year, the Army raised the codeine threshold for a positive test “from 2,000 ng/mL of codeine to 4,000 ng/mL“, aiming to reduce the chances of poppy seed consumption leading to false positives.

Despite these efforts, the bottom line remains: soldiers should avoid eating poppy seeds to protect their careers.

A Broader Issue

This isn’t the first time poppy seeds have come under scrutiny. The problem of opium contamination has been a topic of discussion for years.

The US military has even found itself in some tricky situations when foods containing poppy seeds—like poppy seed salad dressing or lemon poppy seed cake—were served in mess halls or included in meals ready-to-eat (MREs).

In fact, poppy seeds have made headlines before. In 2022, the DoD began reviewing codeine-positive drug tests dating back to 2019 to assess whether any service members had been unfairly disciplined due to poppy seed consumption.

In a 2019 notice, the Drug Enforcement Agency noted that at least 12 deaths “have been reported in the scientific literature associated with the use of unwashed poppy seed tea.”

The Army is also currently analyzing cases of “innocent or unknown ingestion” of poppy seeds, trying to ensure that soldiers haven’t been mistakenly punished for something they didn’t know could be an issue.

The Takeaway

For now, the Army’s stance is clear: steer clear of poppy seeds. While they may be a tasty addition to your favorite baked goods or salad, the risk just isn’t worth it. In a world where careers can be upended by a failed drug test, soldiers are being advised to play it safe.

So next time you’re at the mess hall or a local bakery, think twice before ordering that everything bagel with poppy seeds. It’s one small sacrifice to ensure your military record—and career—remains squeaky clean.

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