The 72-year-old TV presenter couldn’t believe it when the results revealed she had the presence of morphine, derived from opium, in her urine.
Rippon took the test after eating bread containing poppy seeds as part of the fourth series of Rip Off Britain: Food.
Looking nervous, Rippon sat down in a laboratory and asked: “So what are the results of my test?”
Queen Mary University toxicology expert Professor Atholl Johnston revealed: “Well, you’re positive for morphine. You excreted 13 nanograms per milliliter or morphine in your urine.”
Gasping, Rippon sighed: “That sounds terrible! Does that mean if I was taking a test as an employee, that employers could say ‘There’s a possibility Rippon that you’re a drug taker’?”
Reassuring the show host, the professor continued: “If they follow the European guidance for testing of drugs in the workplace, then no you wouldn’t be because the limit there is 300 nanograms per milliliter.
“You excreted about 10 times less than you would need to have a positive test and be struck off from your workplace.”
Moved by the whole experience, Rippon added: “In more than 50 years of broadcasting I’ve found myself in a number of extraordinary situations.
“But I must say I never thought I’d find myself taking a drugs test, let alone have it come back positive.”
The poppy seed experiment came after a show contributor explained how he had been sacked from his power station job after the same test showed opiates in his system.
He then realised that the toast he had consumed for breakfast that morning contained poppy seeds and must be the reason behind failing the test.
Rip Off Britain: Food returns next Monday on BBC One at 10.45am.
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