Pregnant Woman's Shock Opiate Test Linked to Poppy Seeds

A routine OBGYN appointment for a pregnant woman took a startling turn when her urine test indicated a positive result for opiates. Cassey Hoff, 34, from Westminster, Maryland, was initially shocked and concerned for her baby's wellbeing, as she does not take any opioid medication. Her anxiety grew, fearing potential complications with labor and delivery and even intervention from child protective services.

The unexpected result was traced back to her dietary habits. Hoff's sister suggested the cause might be her frequent consumption of avocado toast with Everything Bagel Seasoning, a common ingredient of which is poppy seeds. While poppy seeds themselves are not opiates, contamination during harvesting can lead to false positives on highly sensitive drug tests.

This phenomenon is significant enough that the U.S. Department of Defense issued a memo in 2023 advising service members to avoid poppy seeds as a precaution. Hoff confirmed with her doctor that the poppy seeds were indeed the cause of her positive test and that no further testing was deemed necessary. She has since removed poppy seed-containing items from her diet and shared her experience on TikTok, where it gained significant traction.

Hoff hopes her viral video will serve as a caution to other pregnant women about the potential impact of seemingly innocuous food items. Her story resonated with many, with numerous internet users sharing similar experiences and reactions in the comments, underscoring the importance of awareness regarding dietary triggers for drug screenings.