It's illegal to eat poppy seeds in Malaysia

Malaysians eating cakes containing poppy seeds may end up in jail as the tiny kidney- shaped ingredient is illegal in the country, a senior official today said.City Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department chief Wan Abdullah Ishak warned consumers that if found positive for drugs after eating cakes containing Khus Khus, they could be charged in court.

"If they are subjected to a urine test and found positive for drugs, they will be detained. They can be charged under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries a maximum of two years' jail or (USD 1285) fine for taking drugs," he said. Poppy seeds, used as food ingredients in India, Europe and the Middle East, is illegal in Malaysia.

According to Mr Ishak, police had detected cases where poppy seeds, illegal to consume in Malaysia, were added to cakes, allegedly to boost sale.

"Even with possession of less than five grams of ganja from the poppy plant, is an offence which carries a maximum five years' jail and fine on conviction," he warned.

Mr Ishak said police conducted drug screening on the poppy seeds found in the suspected cakes and found them to be positive for morphine.

"We found that Lemon poppy seed cakes were sold openly. The buyer after consuming a large portion would feel a sense of high or euphoria," he said.

Mr Ishak said police would also carry out further tests at the Malaysian Chemistry Department to confirm that drugs were really present in such cakes.

Poppy seed is an oilseed obtained from the opium poppy. The tiny kidney-shaped seeds are used as an ingredient in many foods. They also produce poppyseed oil.