Many Trader Joe's customers across the country have a place in their hearts for the chain's Everything But the Bagel seasoning. Some even travel with bottles, but if that's you, you might want to reconsider if you're going to South Korea.
Travelers flying into Seoul's Incheon Airport have reportedly been seeing signs noting that TJ's Everything But the Bagel seasoning is not allowed to enter the country. According to The New York Times, travelers aren't being allowed in unless the seasoning is confiscated or surrendered.
Everything But the Bagel seasoning has white and black sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic and onion, and sea salt flakes. The culprit that has led to amped-up security is the poppy seeds.
"Seed products with narcotic substances have always been banned from being brought into Korea. Recently, the customs offices have been strengthening crackdown on narcotic related items," an airport representative told CNN.
While the law isn't necessarily new, the strict enforcement of the regulations marks a shift in the country's legal treatment of the beloved seasoning mix.
"We would like to inform you that the following products containing poppy seeds are restricted from being brought into the country as 'Papaver Somniferum L,' an ingredient of the poppy family designated as narcotic substance under South Korea’s narcotic drugs control law has been detected," an airport sign read, per an X post from a Seoul traveler.
트조 에브리씽베이글 시즈닝
— 사과???? (@tothemerciless) July 11, 2024
양귀비땜에 한국 반입금지구나...
출처;미국여행카페 pic.twitter.com/PYMLfz1nDB
Poppy plants are known for containing the same compound that are found in painkillers like codeine and morphine and street drugs like heroin. The seeds themselves, though, don't contain any opiates.
If you have a trip planned to South Korea, leave your go-to seasoning at home and pick some up there.
