As a supplier dedicated to providing high-quality, compliant military gear, Zennison closely monitors the latest military regulations to ensure our clients’ interests and compliance are upheld. Recently, the U.S. Army released a new regulation advising soldiers to avoid consuming foods containing poppy seeds due to concerns that they could inadvertently fail a drug test.
Poppy seeds, often found in baked goods and pastries, can contain morphine and codeine—opioid alkaloids depending on how they are harvested and processed. These substances are classified as Schedule II drugs, which have potential for abuse, and are banned under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for service members.
Much like the famous episode from the 1990s sitcom Seinfeld, where Elaine fails a workplace drug test after eating poppy seed muffins, Army officials are worried that consuming poppy seed products could cause codeine to show up in a drug test. While military drug testing labs have taken steps to differentiate between poppy seed ingestion and codeine abuse, soldiers are still encouraged to avoid these foods.
At Zennison, we recognize the importance of compliance with these new policies for our clients purchasing military gear in bulk. Whether it’s combat uniforms, tactical vests, or other essential gear, we ensure that our products meet all military compliance standards.
Preventing False Positives: The Army Raises Codeine Cutoff Levels in Drug Tests
To mitigate the risks of false positives caused by poppy seed consumption, the Army suspended codeine reporting in January 2023 and raised the threshold for codeine in drug tests from 2,000 ng/mL to 4,000 ng/mL. This change is designed to reduce the risk of false positive results from the normal consumption of poppy seed-containing food products. These adjustments highlight the Army’s commitment to safeguarding service members while ensuring the integrity of the drug testing program.
At Zennison, we understand how even small details, like dietary restrictions, can impact the lives of military personnel. We work diligently to ensure that our clients can focus on their duties with confidence, knowing that their equipment meets the highest standards of quality and compliance.
Policy Updates and Industry Reactions
Poppy seed concerns are just one example of the everyday risks military personnel face when it comes to unintentional exposure to banned substances. For example, last month, GNC pulled a protein supplement from military base stores after discovering it contained hemp seed protein, another banned substance for service members.
Zennison encourages our bulk-buying customers to stay informed about such policy updates to avoid any unintentional issues. We are committed to providing up-to-date information on product compliance and ensuring that all our military gear adheres to the latest military regulations.
If you have any questions or would like more information about Zennison’s product compliance, feel free to reach out. We are here to support your procurement process and ensure that all your gear is military-compliant.
