Poppy seeds: Drugs or spices

A large amount of banned poppy seeds has been brought to Bangladesh under the guise of importing bird food from Pakistan. Recently, Chittagong Customs officials seized two containers containing 25 tonnes of poppy seeds based on confidential information.

When this news spread on social media on Thursday, a wide discussion started about poppy seeds. Many said that poppy seeds mean drugs; others said that they are an important accompaniment to cooking. The question arises - are poppy seeds drugs or spices?

What are poppy seeds

Poppy seeds or postodada are the dried seeds of the opium plant. The fruit that comes from the flowers of the opium plant, when they are ripe, is collected and dried in the sun. The seeds inside these dried fruits are poppy seeds or Khus-Khus.

However, it should be remembered that not all poppy flowers produce opium, a drug. Opium is produced from a special type of poppy plant, whose scientific name is Papaver somniferum. The green fruit pod that forms after the flowering of this plant contains a milky sap. Opium is produced from that sap, from which drugs such as morphine, codeine, heroin are later made.

But when the fruit is completely dried and the seeds mature, the seeds do not contain narcotic substances or contain very small amounts, which are not harmful to health. Therefore, these dried seeds (poppy seeds) are legally used in many countries as food products or spices.

Uses of poppy seeds

These seeds are widely used in many countries, especially in Central Europe and South Asia. If grown and processed legally, they are suitable for use in food products and can be sold in stores.

On the other hand, when this fruit is immature or raw, the material collected from its sap is mainly the drug. Traditionally, opium is collected when the seed pod is green and has a lot of sap. At that time, the sap is extracted by cutting the plant.

References to poppy seeds in history

Poppy seeds are mentioned in the medical literature of many ancient civilizations. The Egyptian Ebers Papyrus, written in 1550 BC, mentions poppy seeds as a sedative. The Minoan civilization of the Bronze Age island of Crete cultivated the seeds and used a mixture of milk, opium and honey to calm crying children.

Nutritional value and culinary uses

Poppy seeds are a highly nutritious spice. They contain various minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.

In India, Iran and Turkey, poppy seeds are known as 'Khus-Khus' or 'hashash' and are considered highly nutritious. They are added to white bread dough while kneading, and are recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

White poppy seeds are used in Indian cuisine for their density, texture and aroma. In korma or various curries, a mixture of poppy seeds, coconut and other spices is added towards the end of cooking. In Bengal (especially in West Bengal and Bangladesh), the most popular dish of this seed, known as posto, is Alu posto.

Health risks and safety

Poppy seeds are very nutritious and have fewer side effects than other seeds or nuts. Allergies or hypersensitivity are very rare. However, those who are prone to such a tendency should consult a doctor.

However, it is noteworthy that raw or unrefined poppy seeds may contain a small amount of opium-like substances, which can affect dope tests if consumed in excess. For this reason, food-grade poppy seeds are washed and processed before use according to international standards. However, the authorities have not yet confirmed whether the poppy seeds seized at the Chittagong port were of the 'Papaver somniferum' species, or whether they were food grade. Therefore, there is confusion about the matter.

Poppy cultivation and law in Bangladesh

The cultivation of poppy flowers is completely prohibited legally in Bangladesh.

According to the 'Narcotics Control Act' of 1974, opium production or poppy cultivation is considered a crime. Although there have been reports of limited clandestine cultivation in some hilly areas in the past, law enforcement agencies currently maintain strict surveillance.

However, processed food-grade poppy seeds can be imported, such as from India, Turkey or Iran. These seeds are approved for use in the food industry or as a cooking spice.

Not all poppy plants produce narcotics. The raw pods obtained from a specific poppy species called Papaver somniferum are the main ingredient in making opium and other narcotics. On the other hand, the mature and dried seeds, i.e. poppy seeds, are essentially a food spice, which does not contain any active narcotic ingredients.