Huda Restaurant in Beijing is being investigated for using opium poppies as a seasoning in its dishes. Wei Xiaohao / China Daily

AT LEAST 35 RESTAURANTS selling popular dishes and snacks were found to have used the powdered shells of poppy seedpods as seasoning, according to the China Food and Drug Administration, the country's top food safety regulator, on Thursday. The Administration said the poppy derivatives it detected included morphine and codeine. The owners of 25 restaurants are being investigated by public security departments, with the other 10 being investigated by the CFDA. Beijing Youth Daily says stricter supervision is needed to curb the use of seasonings derived from poppy seedpods in food:

That 35 restaurants have reportedly been caught adding the powdered shells of poppy seedpods to their food as seasoning, points to the worrying fact that similar misconduct exists elsewhere, even in some first-tier cities, including Beijing and Shanghai.

As opium is a drug that can cause addiction and serious harm to consumers' health, using opium poppies in food is banned in China, yet some restaurant owners who want to "enhance" the flavor of their dishes still add the powdered shells of poppy seedpods to "improve the customer experience".

That such use of poppy seedpods as seasoning has become an open secret, has much to do with opium being a narcotic. In fact, the "poppy seasoning" is often sold mixed with chili oil and other flavorings or with fake names, making it more difficult for local food supervisors to eliminate its use.

However, the lack of proper supervision and some restaurant owners' disregard for the safety of the public, are also to blame.

Food safety authorities must strengthen their inspection of major food providers, as well as impose harsh punishments on those caught using shells of poppy seedpods as seasoning.

Besides, the relevant judicial departments should also cooperate with them to locate and destroy the sources of the poppy seasoning, in order to nip its use in restaurants in the bud.