[Cadmium in blue poppy seeds and poppy seed-containing products]

Blue poppy seeds, semi finished products and finished baked goods with poppy seeds, were analyzed for cadmium by atomic-absorption spectrometry. The average content was 0.739 mg/kg (median 0.654 mg/kg) for poppy seeds, 0.317 mg/kg (median 0.366 mg/kg) for semi finished products and 0.107 mg/kg (median 0.088 mg/kg) for baked goods. Poppy seeds therefore must be considered as one of the most cadmium contaminated foods. For consumers, especially children, recommendations for consumption should be established.