Poppy seeds come from the opium poppy, which is used to produce the addictive drugs morphine, codeine and heroin. In recent years, according to government scientists in Germany, the morphine levels in poppy seeds have significantly increased. As a result, the Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection "advises against excessive consumption of foods containing large amounts of poppy seeds -- particularly during pregnancy." Also, there is a slim chance that you could test positive for drugs after giving birth if you eat enough poppy seeds beforehand. In a case that can only be called Kafkaesque — or perhaps Seinfeldesque — a baby was taken from its mother after she consumed a bagel with poppy seeds before giving birth and tested positive for heroin.
Almonds
If you are pregnant, the almonds in your poppy seed muffins are just fine. The BabyCenter website recommends 10 easy-to-prepare foods and snacks that are particularly healthy for you to eat. The list includes a do-it-yourself trail mix consisting of whole-grain cereal with dried fruits and nuts. Suggested fruits and nuts to add include cherries, walnuts, cranberries and almonds.
Poppy Seeds -- German Recommendations
Morphine is used to treat severe pain. Morphine side effects include nausea, vomiting and heart disturbances. German officials cite animal studies showing that morphine can affect the development of babies as well as reproduction. It might present a risk of cancer as well. As a result, it recommends that "consumers and, more particularly, pregnant women should reduce or completely stop their consumption of foods with a high level of poppy seeds."
Poppy Seed -- American Recommendations
American officials and experts don't seem as concerned as their counterparts in Germany. There are no governmental recommendations for people, including pregnant women, to refrain from eating poppy seeds. The Drugs.com website says that "information regarding safety and efficacy [of poppy seeds] in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. The seed is generally recognized as safe when used as food."
Considerations
There is one additional reason to refrain from eating poppy seeds when you are pregnant. In some states, child welfare might show up and take your newborn to foster care. In a 2010 case of life mirrors sitcoms, a woman in Pennsylvania, who ate an everything bagel containing poppy seeds before giving birth, tested positive for heroin under a state law allowing hospitals to check for drug use. It took three days to recover her baby. Shades of a "Seinfeld" episode, when Elaine lost a job because she flunked two drug tests before realizing that her favorite poppy seed muffins were the culprit.
