The Health Ministry has not made a decision to ban the import and usage of poppy seeds as a spice in traditional cooking.

Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam said poppy seeds were used as an ingredient to enhance the flavour of dishes and the amount used was very low.

The ministry would also monitor to ensure there was no abuse or excess usage of poppy seeds, he said.

"We will act if there is any complaint and the public should inform us if they suspect any shop using poppy seeds in excessive amounts," he told reporters in Putrajaya today when asked to comment on the poppy seed issue.

Yesterday, city Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department chief, SAC Wan Abdullah Ishak, cautioned the public against consuming cakes containing poppy seeds.

He said consumers, if found to test positive for drugs "even if they denied it", could be charged in court.

According to Subramaniam, the Food and Drug Administration has labelled poppy seeds as a safe product due to its low morphine content and the risk of addiction was insignificant.

Therefore, he said the current concern of getting addicted to poppy seeds should not be a problem if it was used minimally.

"Unless you take a huge content and regularly, then there is a chance of becoming addictive. The amount used in cooking is minimal and if you put too much, it will alter the taste," he said.

As of now, Subramaniam said the ministry had no safety standard procedure on how to monitor the usage of poppy seeds unless to act on complaints if there was abuse.

Asked if the police had asked for input from the ministry, he said: "So far, no. We knew about the issue when we read the newspapers today."

- Bernama