The Stephen Hacala Poppy Seed Safety Act addresses health risks from contaminated poppy seeds by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish safety limits for morphine, codeine, and other alkaloid compounds in poppy seeds sold in the United States. The bill stems from documented cases including at least 19 confirmed deaths from morphine overdose linked to contaminated poppy seeds, as well as instances where pregnant women and military personnel tested positive for opiates after consuming poppy seed products. Under this legislation, poppy seeds exceeding the contamination thresholds will be considered unsafe and prohibited from interstate commerce, with the Secretary required to propose regulations within one year and finalize them within two years of enactment. The bill clarifies that contaminated poppy seeds remain subject to controlled substance laws despite poppy seeds themselves being legal agricultural products.
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