Australians are being asked to check their pantries for potentially poisonous poppy seeds after a batch made its way to supermarket shelves despite at least 32 people previously becoming ill from the product.
Several poppy seed products were recalled in November, but Coles was informed a customer became ill after consuming poppy seeds they purchased at the supermarket in recent weeks, prompting NSW and Victorian health authorities to issue urgent public health alerts on Friday night.
Royal Fields Poppy Seeds sold through Coles have been recalled for a second time. Credit:
The recall affects Royal Fields Poppy Seeds products sold through Coles with a best-before date of June 25, 2024. Coles has since removed the product from sale, and authorities are urging customers to check for recalled batch numbers and either dispose of or return them to their store of purchase for a full refund.
“This batch of poppy seeds is high in thebaine, and when brewed into a concentrated form such as a tea, has resulted in cases of severe toxicity,” Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said.
Thebaine is chemically similar to morphine and codeine, also derived from the opium poppy plant, but has stimulant rather than depressant effects.
At high doses, symptoms include severe muscle cramping, muscle spasms and abnormal movements, seizures, and cardiac arrest. Anyone with unusual or severe symptoms should visit an emergency department or call their state’s poisons hotline immediately.
Both hotlines can be called at anytime on 13 11 26.
The alert follows another recall in November issued after at least 12 people in NSW and 11 in Victoria developed poisoning symptoms after consuming poppy seeds.
At least six people in Queensland and one person in South Australia became ill after consuming the seeds, and other cases are known nationally.
In a statement, Coles said it was working with state authorities and Food Standards Australia and New Zealand to determine how the affected poppy seeds made it onto their shelves and were purchased.
“At the time, Coles followed all recall processes and removed stock from our warehouses and shelves,” a spokesperson said. “We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience.”
The authorities are now investigating whether the poppy seeds have been sold elsewhere.
NSW Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26
Victorian Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26
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