Positively Poppy? Can Poppy Seeds Sway a Drug Test…

   People who are required to undergo random on-the-job drug testing often avoid poppy seeds because they fear they could lead to a positive drug test result. Though most poppy seeds sold commercially in the United States pose no risk during a routine drug test, some poppy seeds can contain trace amounts of opiates. If ingested your urine could test positive for drugs like morphine, codeine and heroin.

   Several studies have shown opiate levels in the urine rise within two hours of poppy seed ingestion, and can remain elevated for a day or two afterwards. If eaten with geat regularity the presence of opiates can be a bit higher and a bit more persistent. But since the levels found in poppy seed ingestion are generally lower than those found in drug use, many governmental groups and private corporations have simply increased the opiate level that is needed to be declared positive. This has eliminated a lot of the false positives due to poppy seeds.  

   Additionally the compound thebaine is found in the urine of people who have consumed poppy seeds but is not found in those who have been using opiate drugs. And more sophisticated drug testing techniques can now detect specific opiate drug byproducts.-Sean Kenniff, MD