Pastries laced with poppy seeds sold in Baguio?

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is looking into reports that some restaurants in this city are selling breads and pastries laced with poppy seeds.

Gil Castro, PDEA-Cordillera assistant regional director, called on the public to assist in the monitoring and report such activity to authorities.

He said a memorandum issued by PDEA and the Food and Drug Administration on Feb. 21, 2011 ordered all establishments to stop the importation, sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of poppy seeds and products containing the illegal ingredient.

He also warned the public against growing poppy seeds. He said the herb is commonly mistaken as an ornamental plant because of its attractive flowers.

Culture and cultivation of poppy plants is punishable by life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P1 million.

In April 14, 2010, a policeman turned over imported poppy plant seeds in paper sachets printed with poppy flower picture and labels in Dutch and English, to the PDEA-Cordillera from Benguet.

An opium poppy plantation was also discovered in Paoay, Atok town in Benguet in March 2007.