"I Ate Toast Every Morning"... Pregnant Woman Tests Positive for Drugs, Here's Why

Opioid Substances Detected in Blood Test
Seasoning Containing Poppy Seeds Was the Cause

An American pregnant woman experienced a bizarre situation when she tested positive for drugs because of the toast she ate every morning. The culprit was not an illegal substance, but poppy seeds in the seasoning sprinkled on her toast.

Toast stock photo. Getty Images Bank

According to the Daily Mail in the UK on January 25 (local time), Cathy Hope, a resident of Maryland, USA, recently received an unexpected notification after undergoing a routine blood test during her regular obstetrics checkup. The test results showed the presence of opioid substances.

Hope stated that she was deeply shocked, as she had never used drugs. She said, "I was afraid the doctor would suspect me of being a drug addict, report me to Child Protective Services, or even try to take my baby away."

The Seasoning in Her Daily Toast Was the Cause

Amidst the confusion, Hope confided in her older sister. She explained, "My sister asked, 'Haven't you been eating toast every day lately?' That was when I realized that the seasoning I had been sprinkling on my toast contained poppy seeds." In the United States, poppy seeds are widely used as a legal food ingredient.

In fact, for about two weeks prior to the test, Hope had sprinkled seasoning containing poppy seeds on her avocado toast every morning. Poppy seeds can contain trace amounts of opioid substances such as morphine and codeine, so consuming a certain amount can result in a positive result on blood or urine drug tests.

After confirming the facts, Hope immediately contacted the hospital nurse. The medical staff explained, "It appears to be a result of food consumption," and reassured her that there would be no further issues.

Poppy flowers blooming in a large flower bed along the entrance road to Namwonju Interchange on the Jungang Expressway. Photo by Yonhap News

"Treated Like a Drug Addict in the ER"... Similar Stories Emerge

Hope shared her experience on TikTok earlier this month, and the video quickly went viral, surpassing 1.4 million views. In the video, she warned, "If you eat foods containing poppy seeds, you may be misunderstood during a drug test."

Many commenters shared similar experiences. One user said, "After eating a muffin with poppy seeds, a trace amount was detected in my drug test." Another wrote, "I ate the same seasoning during pregnancy and tested positive, which caused me a great deal of stress." There were also accounts of people being "treated like a drug addict in the emergency room."

Strict Ban in Korea: Up to 5 Years in Prison or a Fine of Up to 50 Million Won

While countries like the United States allow small quantities of poppy seeds for culinary use, South Korea strictly classifies them as a narcotic substance and prohibits their use. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has designated these substances as prohibited for import and manages them thoroughly, while the Korea Customs Service has strengthened inspections and enforcement at customs.

If a person brings food containing cannabis or similar substances into the country or consumes them domestically, they may be subject to punishment under the "Narcotics Control Act." Under current law, possession or importation of poppy seeds can result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.