Should You Still Eat Poppy Seed Products?

About Me
Understanding Proper Cooking Techniques

When I started learning how to cook, I was surprised to learn that there was a proper cooking technique for just about everything you could do in the kitchen. I began focusing more seriously on choosing better ingredients and focusing on great preparations, and it was really rewarding to see how much of a difference those simple skills made in my life. Within a few short months, my friends and family members were delighted with the different items that I made for them, and it was really rewarding. Check out this blog for more information on understanding proper cooking techniques.

Search

Should You Still Eat Poppy Seed Products?

12 September 2018
 Categories: , Blog


In August 2018, a slew of news stories picked up on the story of a woman accused of drug use because she tested positive for opiates while in the hospital. She claimed she had eaten a poppy seed bagel, but the hospital still separated her and her newborn for a few days until the administration determined that the result was truly due to poppy seeds. The claim that poppy seeds could trigger a positive drug test result used to be treated as urban legend until various TV shows, newspaper columnists, and researchers finally proved that the food product could cause such a test result.

That may make you want to avoid products that typically contain poppy seeds, like kaiser rolls, but you don't actually have to give up your favorite bread products. If you're headed into a situation like a job interview, hospital stay, or career where drug testing happens often, you have options.

Alternative Toppings

One option is to have products with different toppings. You can get kaiser rolls with poppy seeds, but you can also get them plain or with other seeds like sesame. One glitch to note is that these other products can pick up stray poppy seeds just by sitting on a tray near breads that do have those seeds. So, give the product a once-over to ensure no stray poppy products are going to sneak inside your mouth.

Planned Testing and Abstinence

Do you know when the drug test will happen? If the test is planned, like with a job application process, you can simply abstain from eating anything with poppy seeds. Again, check items that you buy from bakeries and cafes to ensure no cross contamination. Start avoiding poppy seeds at least three days before the test, preferably a few more. The length of time that seeds can affect a test result is highly (no pun intended) variable. You want to be sure everything has cleared your system.

Warn Testers Ahead of Time

Usually when you take a drug test, you'll have to fill out health information, and there should be a question about whether you've taken anything like medication that could affect the test result. If the test you're taking is random, be sure to add that you've eaten something with poppy seeds. Try to remember when you had it, too. Include items within the past week, and longer if you had a lot of poppy seeds.

You can still enjoy your bagels and kaiser rolls even when subject to random, unexpected testing. Just look for alternate toppings, and be sure to notify drug test administrators of what you've been eating.