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Health
NSW Health is warning people about the dangers of consuming large amounts of poppy seeds after at least eight people in NSW presented to hospital with severe poisoning soon after ingestion. More cases have been reported interstate.
Symptoms of poisoning have only been observed when people have purposely consumed poppy seeds as a drink. Reported symptoms can be severe, including: seizures/severe muscle pain/severe muscle spasm/ cramping/stiffness or abnormal movements.
Preliminary investigation suggests that high levels of a naturally occurring chemical in the raw poppy seeds may be a factor, which needs to be well-cooked to be destroyed.
The investigation is ongoing and there have been no cases of poisoning in people who have eaten poppy seeds as part of a baked food product. Medical Director of the NSW Poisons Information Centre, A/Prof Darren Roberts, said consuming large quantities of this chemical in poppy seeds can be dangerous.
“We are urging anyone who has had large quantities of poppy seeds, for example as a drink, and who experiences any unusual and severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention by visiting their nearest Emergency Department. Call triple zero for emergency assistance,” A/ Prof Darren Roberts said.
The NSW Poisons Information Centre can be contacted 24/7 on 13 11 26 and can provide more information about poisons and what to do in suspected cases of poppy seed poisoning.
NSW Health is working with the NSW Food Authority, as well as other jurisdictions, to investigate the issue further.
NSW Health Pathology is celebrating 10 years since it was formed, bringing together public pathology and forensic and analytical science services from around the state.
The statewide organisation now operates more than 60 laboratories and 150 collection centres across NSW, conducting over 100,000 clinical and scientifc investigations every day.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the public pathology service proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the organisation provided vital public health testing.
“From growing the live virus and sequencing its genome, to creating an SMS service to notify patients of their PCR results, NSW Health Pathology proved essential to protecting the health and safety of the people of NSW,” Mr Hazzard said.
“I want to thank all of NSW Health Pathology’s staff for their incredible efforts over the past 10 years. The work they have done, and continue to do, to care for the people of NSW is remarkable.”
During the past decade NSW Health Pathology has made signifcant advances, including opening a $91.5 million state-of-the art Forensic Medicine and Coroners Court Complex at Lidcombe and rolling out an electronic tracking system for patient samples statewide.
Founding Chief Executive Tracey McCosker PSM, who remains at the helm of the organisation, said the service’s 5000-strong workforce is dedicated to fnding the answers that help protect the health and safety of the people of NSW.
“The dedication our people have displayed is something I won’t forget. They have worked tirelessly and under enormous pressure to deliver services we’ve all relied on and can all be proud of,” Ms McCosker said.
