Bagel forces New York mother to undergo drug test while working

ERIE COUNTY, New York (WABC) – A New York mother failed a drug test in a hospital during delivery, but the positive test for opioids was based on diet rather than illicit activity .

Elizabeth Dominguez, of Tonawanda, is home with her son Carter and takes full advantage of his time as a new mother.

His arrival, however, was anything but easy.

"I just want everyone to know that this can happen," said Dominguez. "I do not want it to happen to anyone else."

When Dominguez gave birth, she went to the hospital where they asked for a urine sample – which is standard.

"It came back that I had a positive opiate test result, so I called my husband in panic," she said. "I thought to myself" How is this possible? I do not use drugs. It's not OK. "

Her husband Mark asked what she had to eat.

Dominguez said that she had eaten a bagel and a submarine. Her husband said it was probably bagel, to which she replied: "Not at all."

The bagel was covered with poppy seeds.

The experts say that the seeds come from opium and may contain residues of morphine or codeine.

After delivery, Dominguez was interviewed by the Child Protection Service on the basis of the hospital protocol.

Despite Carter's negative result for opiates, he had to stay in the hospital 24 hours longer for surveillance.

The hospital then sent a letter to Elizabeth stating that it seemed like his test was a false positive – because of poppy seeds.

"I felt absolutely horrible," Dominguez said. "I felt like a terrible mother leaving him."

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