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Australians are being asked to check their pantries for potentially poisonous poppy seeds after a batch made its way to supermarket shelves despite at least 32 people previously becoming ill from the product.
Several poppy seed products were recalled in November, but Coles has since identified it had continued to sell affected products packaged by the company Basfoods after the recall date, prompting NSW and Victorian health authorities to issue urgent public health alerts on Friday night.
Royal Fields Poppy Seeds sold through Coles have been recalled for a second time. Credit:
The recall affects Royal Fields Poppy Seeds products sold through Coles with a best-before date of June 25, 2024. Coles has since removed the product from sale, and authorities are urging customers to check for recalled batch numbers and either dispose of or return them to their store of purchase for a full refund.
“This batch of poppy seeds is high in thebaine, and when brewed into a concentrated form such as a tea, has resulted in cases of severe toxicity,” Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton said.
The alert follows another recall in November issued after at least 12 people in NSW and 11 in Victoria developed poisoning symptoms after consuming poppy seeds.
At least six people in Queensland and one person in South Australia became ill after consuming the seeds, and other cases are known nationally.
Symptoms include severe muscle cramping, muscle spasms and abnormal movements, seizures, and cardiac arrest. Anyone with unusual or severe symptoms should visit an emergency department or call their state’s poisons hotline immediately.
Both hotlines can be called at anytime on 13 11 26.
State authorities are working with Food Standards Australia and New Zealand to determine whether the poppy seeds have been sold elsewhere.
NSW Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26
Victorian Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26
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