In Singapore, it’s generally legal to consume foods that contain poppy seeds. However, it’s essential to be aware that poppy seeds can contain trace amounts of opiates, including morphine and codeine, which might lead to positive results on drug tests for opiates.
If you are subject to drug testing for employment, legal, or other purposes, it’s advisable to exercise caution when consuming poppy seeds, as the trace amounts of opiates found in them could potentially lead to a false positive result on a drug test. While some testing programs and laboratories are aware of this issue and use higher thresholds or additional confirmatory tests to avoid false positives, it’s not always guaranteed.
To minimize the risk of a false positive, you may consider limiting your consumption of foods containing poppy seeds in the days leading up to a drug test. If you have concerns about drug testing or dietary restrictions related to your specific situation, it’s a good idea to consult with the relevant authorities, your employer, or a legal professional for guidance on how to navigate the issue effectively and in compliance with local laws and policies.
I am allowed to bring poppy seeds into Singapore
Poppy seeds are classified as prohibited goods by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). Any company or person who wishes to import them or any foodstuff that contain the substance (regardless of the amount or purpose) must submit the Inward Declaration Form which can also be downloaded here together with a certificate from the exporting country or the country of origin of the poppy seeds.
The importer must send a sample of the seeds or related product to the Health Sciences Authority located at 11 Outram Road, Singapore 169078 for analysis. If the sample is in the form of seeds, it is to be sent to the Division Director, Illicit Drugs Division, Applied Sciences Group, Health Sciences Authority (HSA) (Attn: Dr Angeline Yap).
If the sample is in the form of food products, it is to be sent to the Division Director, Food Safety Division, Applied Sciences Group, HSA (Attn: Ms Joanne Chan).
The HSA report must be submitted to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). In the event HSA certifies that the poppy seeds are cleared of any controlled substances, ie no traces of morphine detected, CNB will endorse and approve the Inward Declaration Form. With the endorsement by CNB, Singapore Customs will allow the poppy seeds to be imported into Singapore. If the poppy seeds are found to contain traces of controlled substances, the approval for importation will not be given.