Warning to Avoid Ingestion of Poppy Seeds

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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// 
ROUTINE 
R 281906Z APR 23 MID600052988941U 
FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC 
TO ALNAV 
INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC 
CNO WASHINGTON DC 
CMC WASHINGTON DC 
BT 
UNCLAS 
 
ALNAV 035/23 
 
MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/APR// 
 
SUBJ/WARNING TO AVOID INGESTION OF POPPY SEEDS// 
 
REF/A/DOC/SECNAVINST 5300.28F/23APR19// 
REF/B/USD-PR MEMORANDUM "WARNING REGARDING POPPY SEED CONSUMPTION AND 
MILITARY DRUG TESTING"/17FEB23// 
 
NARR/REF A IS SECNAVINST 5300.28F MILITARY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND 
CONTROL.  REF B IS OFFICE OF UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND 
READINESS MEMORANDUM ENTITLED "WARNING REGARDING POPPY SEED CONSUMPTION AND 
MILITARY DRUG TESTING."// 
 
RMKS/1.  The Department of the Navy (DON) is committed to deterring the 
illicit use of drugs and misuse of prescription medications.  Consequently, 
all Sailors and Marines are subject to random, frequent urinalysis testing in 
accordance with reference (a).  Additionally, the DON remains vigilant in 
identifying products and sources that can adversely impact the drug testing 
program. 
 
2.  Poppy seeds may be contaminated with morphine and codeine during the 
harvesting process.  Accordingly, the Department of Defense utilizes drug 
testing cutoff concentrations to distinguish codeine and morphine use from 
poppy seed ingestion. 
 
3.  Reference (b) highlights recent data indicating that certain varieties of 
poppy seeds may have higher codeine contamination than previously 
reported.  Consumption of poppy seed products could cause a positive codeine 
urinalysis result and undermine the DON's ability to identify illicit codeine 
use. 
 
4.  To protect Service Members and preserve the integrity of the drug testing 
program, it is necessary to issue a non-punitive warning to avoid consumption 
of poppy seeds.  This policy may be revised as additional information becomes 
available. 
 
5.  Effective immediately: 
    a.  Sailors and Marines are warned to avoid consumption of poppy seeds as 
well as food products and baked goods containing poppy seeds, poppy seed 
paste, or poppy seed oil.  Ingestion of certain poppy seeds may result in a 
positive urinalysis that will, at a minimum, trigger administrative actions 
to adjudicate the positive result. 
    b.  Sailors and Marines are directed to coordinate with their local 
Defense Services Office for any related concerns with urinalysis results. 
 
6.  The primary point of contact for this message is the Assistant Secretary 
of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Drug Demand Reduction Program. 
    a.  For Marine Corps commands:  Ms. Carrie Knox, e-mail at carrie.knox 
@usmc.mil or (703) 432-1359. 
    b.  For Navy commands:  Ms. LaNorfeia Parker, e-mail at 
lanorfeia.parker.civ@us.navy.mil or (901) 874-4249. 
 
7.  This ALNAV is effective immediately until superseded or cancelled, 
whichever comes first. 
 
8.  Released by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy.// 
 
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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//

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