Whenever I use poppy seed in recipes (Sicilian Lemon & Poppy Cake) comes to light supposed ban in marketing the product.
The same happened with fleur de sel (Flor de Sal: Semper Foi Proibida), in other words, the discussion is more superficial than it should be. That said-that-told-me runs wild.
So, I took the opportunity to talk a little about this ingredient that, depending on the culture, is widely used. The information goes a little further than gastronomy. Let’s go?
Legislation
In Brazil, trade in poppy seed is regulated by RDC Resolution No. 239, of August 28, 2002 from ANVISA (alternative link).
Single paragraph. In the document referred to in the caput of this article, it must also be stated that the object of import does not come from countries that transform seized and confiscated drugs into legal opiates.
Art. 3. Determine that establishments importing oatmeal seeds (Papaver somniferum L.), must present to ANVISA, when requesting approval for the Import License – LI, a document issued by the competent body of the Exporting country, which must state that the object of import comes from legal crops, authorized by the INCB.
This information is found on the ANVISA website (the search for legislation needs an urgent update). At the time that the poppy disappeared from the market, back in 2008-2009, I contacted ANVISA who responded to me via Special Products Management (GPESP) denying such a ban and indicating the resolution.
The fact is that it was more bureaucratic import due to documentation requirements, and certainly an increase in cost also occurred. Yes I know. ANVISA is not perfect, many points of food legislation could be revised, but until then, the agency remains the only truly reliable source. After all, we are talking about laws, resolutions and the like.
What is Poppy?
Poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) is one of several species of the genus Papaver that are part of the Papaveraceae family. That’s right, there are several types of poppybut the only one produced on a large scale is P. sleepyfrom which they derive the seeds and the opioid medications.
O opium is the dried latex taken from the poppy fruit. Exactly, when the fruit is scratched, it releases a white liquid which resembles the latex of the rubber tree or green papaya. They are different products, but the appearance is the same. It is a mixture made up of morphine, codeine, papaverine and other substances. The first two are the most important (as medicine).
Morphine It is used as a medicine, an opioid analgesic, only in controlled environments (hospitals and research) because it is extremely potent. To make a comparison, it is to relieve visceral pain (in internal organs), unlike normal painkillers (in general, they are anti-inflammatory). Due to the way it acts on the body, it can also cause severe constipation.
Me and codeine It is used in cough syrup which also needs to be used with caution, in addition to being sold with a prescription retention.
And the seed?
A poppy seed it comes from the same place as opium, but at a different time. To produce seeds, the fruit must be ripe and then dry to remove them. While opium is extracted while the fruit is still green, and the seeds are not completely formed.
Due to their composition, the seeds are basically 50% fat, it is also possible to make coconut seed oil. poppy. They need to be stored very well, they can go rancid very quickly with this amount of fat.
As they are very small, according to McGee, it takes around 3,300 to form one gram and more than 3 million for one kilogram. The bluish color would actually be an optical illusion, seen under a microscope the seeds appear brown.
They have this bluish tone because of a layer of calcium oxalate crystals which act like prisms that refract light in such a way that we see the bluish band of white light.
The seeds contain traces of the substances that make up opium, therefore, depending on the amount ingested, a test for opioids (drugs of abuse) will give a false positive. It depends on the sensitivity and cutoff value used in the test. This “myth” was analyzed by Mythbusters (it’s not a very reliable scientific source, but they used the test kits that would be used in a usual evaluation) and scientific studies tested this possibility, and all showed a false-positive result.
As always, it is necessary to analyze the situation with a macro view to encompass the greater good which can directly affect society as a whole. O opium it is a natural productbut extremely dangerous. I didn’t go into details, but from there it can be done heroin. An absurdly potent drug, its chemical base is morphine. It causes dependence and there is a risk of death.
Now it’s me speculating, is it easier to say that it was banned than to explain the real reason? Exempt from culpa? Putting the blame on others? I don’t know why this practice happens, however, I believe that everyone loses by spreading wrong information, whereas the truth is so much simpler.
The seeds I have were all gifts. And yes, it cannot come from outside. The customs inspector may retain the product, unless you have the necessary documentation. In most cases, it passes. But I know of people who had their seeds seized.
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