Victoria poppy tea: One person has a heart attack, two are in intensive care

A person has suffered a heart attack, two others are in intensive care and 18 people have visited hospital after toxic contamination from home-brewed poppy tea. 

Victorian health officials have released a warning against brewing poppy tea at home following the hospital admissions.  

As well as the heart attack and intensive care, others have suffered tachycardia, hypertension, seizures and acute kidney injury.

Meanwhile, in NSW, officials revealed at least eight people in the state presented to hospital with severe poisoning soon after ingestion. 

Their symptoms included seizures, severe muscle pain, severe muscle spasm, cramping, stiffness or abnormal movements.

It is thought that there may be a contaminant in supermarket poppy seeds that is causing the reactions. 

NSW Poisons Information Centre Medical Director Darren Roberts said consuming large quantities of this chemical in poppy seeds can be dangerous.

‘We are urging anyone who has had large quantities of poppy seeds, for example as a drink, and who experiences any unusual and severe symptoms to seek immediate medical attention by visiting their nearest emergency department,’ Mr Roberts said.

Those who have presented to hospital say they used between 120 grams and one kilogram of seeds to make their poppy tea. 

Officials said an unusual brown colour to the tea is an indication it could be toxic. 

Another telltale sign is if the brewed tea is bitter when you taste it. 

Officials said an unusual brown colour to the tea is an indication it could be toxic. Another telltale sign is if the brewed tea is bitter when you taste it

Poppy seed tea is made by soaking large quantities of the seeds to remove an opioid alkaloid called thebain.

However, it is thought that some of the poppy seeds currently available may have a higher-than-normal concentration of the chemical.

This suggests that regular consumers of home brewed poppy tea may not be soaking the toxic batch of seeds long enough.  

Toxic effects have not been reported from the consumption of smaller quantities of the seeds below 120 grams.