4 minute learnnew delhiJuly 30, 2026 04:03 PM (IST)
There’s a lengthy record of things which can be prohibited on board flight. One is the generally used poppy seeds or couscous, which is utilized in many Indian gravy dishes or sprinkled on breads and buns for additional crunch. Okay. Anuradha Suresh, an aviation knowledgeable and retired Air India senior shareholder, says carrying poppy seeds on board might be harmful and is “strictly unlawful” in some international locations.
Disclaimer: This text is predicated on data from the general public area and/or from consultants we spoke to.
As a result of poppy seeds come from the opium plant, they will comprise hint quantities of opiates, comparable to morphine and codeine, Anuradha stated. “Whereas uncooked or roasted seeds are handled as customary meals in lots of Western international locations, customs authorities in some areas classify them as managed substances or prohibited narcotics. Even when they’re by chance introduced in uncooked, as a cooking spice (couscous), or on baked items, it may result in confiscation, hefty fines, or instant detention,” Anuradha stated.
She burdened that it’s significantly troublesome in Center Jap international locations such because the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, and in Asian international locations comparable to Singapore, China and South Korea.
This is what you might want to know (Photograph: Freepik)
Notably, poppy seeds are categorised as contraband by Singapore’s authorities company, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB). A press release on the web site, final up to date on November 20, 2025, says that firms and people who want to import poppy seeds or meals containing the substance (no matter amount or goal) should submit a nationwide declaration together with a certificates of the nation of export or origin of the poppy seeds.
“Importers should ship samples of seeds or associated merchandise for evaluation to the Well being Sciences Authority, Singapore 11 Outram Highway, Singapore 169078. If the pattern is within the type of seeds, it will likely be despatched to the Director of the Well being Sciences Authority (HSA) Utilized Science Group Unlawful Medication Division. If the pattern is within the type of meals, it will likely be despatched to the Director of the Analytical Toxicology Division.” (ATL-CFT), HSA Utilized Sciences Group HSA report back to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) have to be submitted. If the HSA certifies that the poppy seeds are freed from managed substances, i.e. no hint of morphine is detected, the CNB will approve the import of the poppy seeds into Singapore. Imports won’t be permitted in the event that they comprise hint quantities of managed substances. ”
Nevertheless, home airplane passenger Poppy seeds might be carried in each checked and carry-on baggage inside India, particularly if they’re commercially packaged. “There isn’t a particular ban on bringing edible poppy seeds into the nation by the DGCA,” Anuradha stated.
The most secure journey rule is to keep away from bringing poppy seeds into international locations with strict drug legal guidelines, regardless that they’re authorized in India, even when they’re for kitchen cupboards.
