Australians have been warned not to drink homemade poppy seed tea after a series of poisonings

Australians are warned not to drink poppy seed tea, promoted on popular social media platforms, after a series of poisoning cases across Australia linked to the sedative home.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand has issued a nationwide recall of poppy seeds due to the potential presence of high levels of thebaine - an opioid alkaloid. The high thebaine levels were caused by non-food grade poppy seeds mistakenly entering the human food supply chain.

In Australia, approximately 32 cases of poppy seed toxicity have been reported. within the past month, all in adults who drank poppy seed tea.

Information on sedative "herbal" teas, including seeds poppy, are broadcast online. A TikTok seen by Guardian Australia promoting poppy seed tea has been viewed over 121,000 times since it was posted in May this year.

But Ian Musgrave, master of Pharmacology lectures at the University of Adelaide, said people used tea as a sedative - although it was mostly a placebo. it may have mild pain-relieving effects,” he said.

“But poppy seed tea is one of those things where I think it has more of a placebo effect than anything else. ”

Investigations are currently underway to determine how the bad seeds entered the supply chain, but until they are safe, Musgrave said that people should avoid drinking the tea.

"I would most definitely quit poppy seed tea for now," he said.

Victoria's Department of Health has reported 11 cases of patients experiencing symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, stiffness in muscles and limbs, and seizures after consuming herbal tea. poppyseed, with reports of patients using up to 1kg of poppyseed in their homemade tea.

In New South Wales, at least 12 people have required medical attention due to poppy seed poisoning.

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Michael Lindsay, environmental health director for Western Australia Health, said they have also seen cases of poisoning.

"We urge people who have consumed large amounts of poppy seeds, especially in poppy seed tea, and who have unusual and severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention by going to the emergency room or calling triple zero for emergency assistance," Lindsay said.

"Anyone drinking poppy seed tea should be aware of the significant risk of drinking and note that a unusual dark brown color and bitter taste in tea after steeping may indicate unusual toxicity."

Food standards i report that there have also been cases of poppy seed illness in Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.

Affected Trademarks so far include Hoyts Poppy Seeds - sold nationally in Coles and Woolworths supermarkets - as well as Gaganis Premium Australian Poppy Seeds, poppy seeds from East West Foods Wholesale Pty Ltd and Royal Fields Poppy Seeds. p>

The onset of symptoms of poisoning can occur within minutes of eating affected poppy seeds, according to the Victorian Department of Health.

Authorities say consumers should not consume the affected products and should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund and safe disposal.

Victoria's Department of Health has warned there is a 'significant risk' of consuming fat poppy seeds in concentrated forms, such as in home-brewed tea. An "unusual dark brown color and a bit...