FDA recalls poppy seed dips, dressing

MANILA, Philppines—Make sure there aren’t any poppy seeds in your dip or muffins.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday reiterated its warning against buying food dressing and dip products that contain poppy seeds, which could cause a positive drug test result due to the seeds belonging to the plant family from which opium, heroin and morphine are made.

In an advisory, the FDA ordered all supermarkets and groceries to pull these products from their shelves and inform the agency through tel. 8571900 or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].

It advised consumers in possession of dressing and dip products containing poppy seeds made by Kraft Foods to stop using them and turn in the items to the FDA or the nearest Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) office.

“All local government units are enjoined to assist the FDA food inspectors in monitoring and reporting any activities related to the importation, sale or movement of the said product,” said the advisory.

“This case is now under FDA investigation in collaboration with the PDEA and with the cooperation of Kraft Philippines Inc.,” it added.

It said that all food and culinary products containing poppy seeds were banned from the Philippine market regardless of the outcome of laboratory tests on its opium alkaloid content.

The FDA first issued an advisory against the importation, distribution and sale of products containing poppy seeds in February 2011 together with the PDEA and the Department of Health.

The joint advisory said these products were prohibited “even for floral, decorative or culinary purposes.”—Jocelyn R. Uy