Bill > HR2615

This bill, named the Stephen Hacala Poppy Seed Safety Act, aims to address the dangers associated with contaminated poppy seeds by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish clear contamination standards. The bill was inspired by the tragic death of Stephen Hacala and concerns about widespread health risks, including documented cases of morphine overdoses and unintended positive drug tests resulting from poppy seed consumption. Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must propose rules defining acceptable levels of contamination by morphine, codeine, and other alkaloid compounds in poppy seeds, with a final rule to be implemented within two years. The legislation specifically clarifies that poppy seeds exceeding these contamination levels will be considered adulterated substances prohibited in interstate commerce, and these contaminated poppy seeds will remain subject to regulation under the Controlled Substances Act. The bill highlights several key findings, including that poppy products in the United States have been found to contain up to 2,788 milligrams of morphine per kilogram of seeds, and that even low doses of morphine can increase overdose risks. By establishing clear contamination standards, the bill seeks to protect consumers from potentially dangerous poppy seed products.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2615/all-info