WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Congressmen Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), French Hill (R-AR-02), Bruce Westerman (R-AR-03) and Steve Womack (R-AR-04) to introduce the Stephen Hacala Poppy Seed Safety Act. The legislation, which has bipartisan support, would prohibit the sale of poppy seeds that contain a harmful level of opiates and require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue regulations that establish a maximum level of contamination.

The bill is named in honor of Arkansan Stephen Hacala Jr., who tragically lost his life September 3, 2016, after purchasing and unknowingly consuming morphine-laced poppy seeds from an online retailer. As many as 20 other Americans have died from similar overdoses induced by morphine-laced poppy seeds sold directly to consumers. While most poppy seeds are harmless, some manufacturers sell seeds laced with morphine containing over 20 times the therapeutic dosage.

“The sale of unwashed poppy seeds represents a discreet threat to health and safety. This legislation, driven by the Hacalas’ advocacy, honors Stephen Jr.’s memory by protecting other consumers from falling victim to dangerous, toxin-laced poppy seeds so other families avoid experiencing the loss of a loved one from similar circumstances,” said Boozman.

“Stephen Hacala, Jr. died from an opioid overdose because of a dangerous gap in our nation's drug laws. Despite government warnings, unwashed poppy seeds, which can contain lethal doses of morphine, are still entering our food supply. It's time for the FDA to act so that no other families experience the pain the Hacala family has endured,” said Cotton.

“I am proud to join my Arkansas colleagues in supporting this legislation and I hope it makes the changes necessary to protect individuals in the future from harm,” said Crawford.

“The Hacala family of Rogers tragically lost their son, Stephen, because lethal substances find their way into our food supply through contaminated poppy seeds. In Stephen’s memory, my colleagues and I have created a solution to close an FDA loophole and ensure that only safe products are available for consumption. This bill can save lives and prevent another family from experiencing an unimaginable loss like the Hacalas,” said Womack, the original sponsor of the companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“Because of negligent practices among poppy seed distributors, the Hacala family now grieves the loss of a loved one. Congress must act to ensure that the Food and Drug Administration issues the appropriate regulations to correctly warn the public on the level of opiates that could be consumed through contaminated poppy seeds. I’m proud to support this legislation alongside my fellow Arkansans and House Republicans to prevent other families from enduring the same loss the Hacala family is unfortunately all too familiar with,” said Westerman.

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Boozman and Cotton to introduce the Stephen Hacala Poppy Seed Safety Act in the Senate.

Text of the legislation may be found here.