By Karen L. Kier, Pharmacist
On behalf of ONU Healthwise Pharmacy 

On August 25, 1939, the Wizard of Oz movie was released in the United States based on the novel written by L. Frank Baum. One of the more iconic scenes in the movie was when Dorothy, Toto and the Cowardly Lion were lulled to sleep by a field of poppies. Poppies are a bright and beautiful red flower and are often used as a symbol of remembrance. You can see them worn on Memorial Day and Veterans Day to honor the sacrifice of our military.  

Although the poppy flower is beautiful, the plant is known for the opium found in the milky substance from the poppy seed pod. Opium was readily available in the late 1800s and early 1900s when Baum wrote The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.  The first edition of 10,000 books was released on May 17, 1900 with a wider distribution starting on September 1, 1900.  

Opium could be found in many different products marketed at the time for various conditions including helping with sleep and pain. Laudanum was a solution of opium dissolved in fairly high concentrations of alcohol. The preparations were not only for adults, but were sold for children and infants. Dr. LeGear’s Colic Remedy was sold from 1908 to 1914 and each fluid ounce contained 1.9 grains (123 milligrams) of opium in a 29% alcohol solution.

In 1914, the United States Congress passed legislation to control the distribution of opium and coca (cocaine).  Coca-Cola® used coca leaves with cocaine to make the soda until 1903. In 1904, they used coca leaves without the cocaine until 1929 when no coca leaves were used to produce the product.  Coca-Cola® was just one of many sodas created by pharmacists. 

Why is poppy and opium being discussed in the news today?

On April 8, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) extended a comment period to request information on industry practices about poppy seeds. The FDA is interested in knowing more about the agricultural, industry, manufacturing and supply chain practices related to the presence of opiate alkaloids on poppy seeds.

Notice it specifically states on poppy seeds versus in poppy seeds. Poppy seeds do not contain opium or opiate alkaloids. The milky extract of the seed pod contains the opiate alkaloids. These alkaloids include morphine, codeine and thebaine, which are all DEA scheduled II controlled substances indicating a high abuse potential.  

When the seed pod is opened the milky, opium substance coats the poppy seeds and the seeds must be washed to remove the alkaloids. If the seeds are not washed or left unwashed, then they can be dangerous. Indeed, the FDA has received reports of adverse effects from poppy seeds and poppy seed-containing foods. These effects can include dizziness, respiratory arrest and death.  

A 25-year old man from Arkansas died from ingesting unwashed poppy seeds ordered from an online vendor. His autopsy report indicated he passed away from a morphine overdose. The young man had no history of substance abuse. A woman died in Utah after consuming a poppy seed food item from a local bakery. The bakery was charged with drug distribution violations. 

After the death in Arkansas, the state Attorney General and 12 other states supported a bill introduced in Congress to improve the safety of poppy seeds. The bill was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension, but has never gotten out of committee. It appears as if the FDA will try to evaluate the issue for potential solutions to protect the public from unwashed poppy seeds.

Based on scientific literature published on opium-containing poppy seeds and FDA testing of poppy seed samples, they report varying amounts of opiate alkaloids in the products. This does mean there is a possibility for some poppy seeds to result in a positive drug screen for morphine and codeine.  

Until more definitive information is known on the source of the poppy seeds and whether they have been washed properly to remove opiate alkaloids, one may want to be cautious in eating poppy seeds. 

You might look differently at that everything bagel or the poppy seed lemon muffin!

If you are interested in more information please contact ONU HealthWise Pharmacy at 419-722-3784.  ONU HealthWise offers the shingles vaccine as well as RSV, flu, COVID-19 and other vaccinations.