South Korean authorities are warning consumers not to buy or sell a popular Trader Joe’s seasoning after determining it violates the country’s narcotics laws because it contains poppy seeds.
Credit: From TraderJoes.com
Police in Seoul said they found Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend being sold on a local secondhand marketplace and worked with the platform to remove the listings.
The seasoning is a longtime favorite among U.S. shoppers, commonly sprinkled on bagels, eggs, avocado toast, salads and other dishes. Although Trader Joe’s doesn’t operate stores in South Korea, the product has developed a following there through travelers, personal imports and third-party resellers.
The problem isn’t the seasoning itself but one of its ingredients: poppy seeds. While food-grade poppy seeds are legal and widely used in the United States, South Korea strictly regulates them because they can contain trace amounts of morphine and codeine. The country’s National Forensic Service said testing detected both substances in the seasoning.
Under South Korean law, authorities said the product is classified as a narcotics-related item, making its import, sale and distribution illegal.
Police said both sellers and buyers could face criminal charges. Investigators found that some people listed the seasoning without realizing it was prohibited, while others allegedly continued selling it despite knowing about the restrictions. One person has been booked on suspicion of violating South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act.
Authorities asked the marketplace to remove listings for the seasoning, increase monitoring for new posts and display warnings to users who attempt to list the product.