A nationwide recall of poppy seeds has been announced after a spate of poisonings across the country.
Non-food-grade poppy seeds, containing high amounts of the controlled drug thebaine, have since been discovered in the food supply chain. Here's the situation as it stands.
What's happened so far?
At the weekend Victorian health officials issued a warning about the risks of brewing poppy seed tea after 19 people suffered toxic contamination.
In NSW at least 12 people have required medical attention after ingesting poppy seed products.
Two people in Western Australia suffered severe reactions as a result of drinking poppy seed tea. Both have recovered.
Which poppy seed products have been recalled?
Food Standards Australia New Zealand has announced a recall of poppy seeds sold by five brands at Woolworths, Coles, IGA, online and at other independent retailers.
The items 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.
The organisation says consumers should not eat these products and should return to the place of purchase for a full refund and safe disposal.
How do you get sick from poppy seeds?
As a bit of background, it's probably helpful to explain that poppy seeds come from the poppy flower, which is the source of the narcotic drug opium.
The plant is also used to produce painkillers like morphine and codeine.
Australia is one of the largest global producers of poppy seeds, with Tasmania at one point estimated to have supplied half of global stocks.
The crop is tightly controlled, because the plant's capsules can be deadly if ingested. Overdoses from drinking poppy have been fatal.
This brings us to the latest health warnings. Victoria Health says non-food grade poppy seeds have "incorrectly" entered the food supply chain.
The department says patients have needed treatment for suspected high levels of thebaine toxicity.
People have been urged not to consume any of the affected products.
Once ingested, though, the enzymes in the body can turn thebaine into a morphine-like substance, says Dr Christopher Parkinson, a senior lecturer in medicinal chemistry at Charles Sturt's School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences.
"Consequently, if you consume thebaine and your body produces a lot of this enzyme you may get an effect similar to opioid overdose," Dr Parkinson said.
He said people produce different amounts of the enzyme, called cyp2D6, so it can effect different people in different ways.
"If you do have a reaction to consuming poppy seeds, there is a way that the effect can be reversed — make sure that you inform the ambulance or doctor that you have been exposed to poppy seeds," he said.
Who is at risk from the poppy seeds?
Investigations are still ongoing, but the consumption of poppy seeds on bagels or in cakes don't seem to be a priority.
Victoria's health department says those who consume large amounts of raw poppy seeds are at the highest risk.
Patients treated for poisoning reported using between 120g and 1kg, in teas for example.
"Toxic effects have not been reported from ingestion of smaller quantities of seeds as food," the Victorian Department of Health says.
"However the impact of smaller amounts [either cooked or raw] is not known and investigations into this are ongoing."
Poppy seed tea drinkers have been warned about the risks of consumption, but Victoria's health department says the way brewed tea looks could indicate whether it is toxic.
"An unusual dark brown colour and bitter taste in the wash/tea after brewing may indicate unusual toxicity," the department says on its website.
What are the symptoms from ingesting toxic poppy seeds?
Clinical presentations from cases in Victoria include:
- 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.
NSW Health says severe symptoms can also include cardiac arrest — the sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness.
What else do I need to know?
Basically, do not consume any of the affected poppy seeds.
You can't tell which seeds have high levels of thebaine by looking at them, the Victorian health department says.
The onset of symptoms has been reported to occur within minutes to hours after the poppy seeds have been ingested.
If no symptoms have been felt after four hours of consumptions it is unlikely that you will become unwell, the Victorian health department says.
