Analysis of opium alkaloids in foodstuffs
Maximum levels for morphine and codeine in poppy seeds and poppy seed bakery products
May 2023 (update). In December of 2021, the European Commission published maximum levels for opium alkaloids in poppy seeds and bakery products with Regulation (EU) 2021/2142 amending Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006, which have since been transferred to the new European Contaminants Regulation (EU) 2023/915[1]. The maximum levels are valid since 1 July 2022 and refer to the sum of morphine and codeine, with a factor of 0.2 used to calculate the sum for the codeine content. Poppy seeds and bakery products lawfully placed on the market before 1 July 2022 may remain on the market until their best-before or use-by dates.
Occurence of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds
Poppy seeds for food consumption are obtained from the seeds of the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). The opium poppy plant naturally contains various alkaloids in different parts of the plant, especially in the milky sap of the capsule, including the opium alkaloids morphine and codeine.
The seeds of the opium poppy intended for consumption contain no or very small amounts of opium alkaloids. The presence of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds is mainly due to external contamination during harvest or by insect pests.
Good agricultural practices during cultivation, harvesting and storage will minimise the presence of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds [2]. For example, good agricultural practices include selecting a poppy variety with the lowest possible opium alkaloid content and cleaning after harvest. Poppy seeds placed on the market as foodstuffs undergo several processing stages, so that maximum levels are regulated exclusively in the product ready for consumption.
Product groups with maximum levels
For the following product groups, maximum levels came into force on 1 July 2022:
- Poppy seeds, whole or ground, placed on the market for the end consumer
- Baked goods containing poppy seeds and/or products derived therefrom
Toxicology
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) updated the assessment of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds in a 2018 scientific opinion[3]. In the opinion, a safe intake level, known as the acute reference dose (ARfD), of 10 μg/kg body weight is given as the "group ARfD" for morphine and codeine. Codeine is converted to morphine equivalents in the "group ARfD" by a factor of 0.2. The factor of 0.2 is based on the maximum metabolic conversion of codeine to morphine.
Morphine and codeine have narcotic effects and are used for pharmacological purposes to treat pain. Side effects of morphine use include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, respiratory depression, and cardiovascular effects.
Analysis of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds
Our experts from the competence center for mycotoxins and plant toxins of Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories in Germany have many years of experience with LC-MS/MS analysis of morphine in poppy seeds. The extended range of analyses for the analysis of morphine and codeine in one method complies with EU requirements.
Contact us
Do you have questions about the analysis of opium alkaloids? Contact your personal account manager or our expert Carina Kellner.
Relevant Regulations and sources:
[1] Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (Contaminants-Regulation)
[2] 2014/662/EU Commission Recommendation of 10 September 2014 on good practices to prevent and to reduce the presence of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds and poppy seed products
[3] EFSA Journal 2018;16(5):5243: Update of the Scientific Opinion on opium alkaloids in poppy seeds
