Trader Joe’s signature “Everything But The Bagel” sesame seasoning mix may be a staple in many American households’ pantries, but travelers looking to share the popular topping with family and friends in South Korea say they’re running into a few problems.
The product has been illegal there for two years, as poppy seeds are classified as a narcotic, according to the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Koreans on social media have recently shared stories of a stricter crackdown at the airport.
At Incheon International Airport in South Korea, a traveler posted a photo of a sign explicitly warning travelers about Trader Joe’s seasoning. The sign features an image of the product, which has become popular worldwide, largely thanks to social media.
Incheon Airport did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment, but a representative told CNN the country is taking a tougher stance on narcotics imports.
“Seed products containing narcotics have always been prohibited from being imported into Korea. Recently, customs offices have stepped up their crackdown on narcotics,” an airport representative told CNN.
The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in the Republic of Korea also posted a warning on their website: “Please be aware that food products containing poppy seeds, including popular bagel-sesame seasoning mixes, are considered illegal in Korea.”
A traveler posted on X last month that her “Everything But The Bagel” products were confiscated when she entered the country.
“If you are in the US, do not buy this sesame seasoning from Trader Joe’s,” she said in an X-post translated from Korean. “The ingredients contain poppy seeds, which makes you a drug owner if you enter Korea.”
“Crackers too,” she continued. “Everything is being taken away.”
A Korean travel blogger posted on the Korean website Naver on Monday that she returned from a trip to the US with 20 bottles of the spice mix. The mix contains sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, onion and sea salt flakes and is available online for $1.99 for 2.3 ounces.
She wanted to give them away as gifts, but customs at Incheon airport stopped them and blocked them upon arrival.
“I wondered what was going on, so I went to the customs at Incheon Airport, and there were already a lot of people being checked because of this product,” the traveler wrote. “There seems to be some confusion, since the import ban was not that long ago.”
Poppy seeds and health
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration Museum, the poppy plant can be used to produce opium, but the poppy seeds used in cooking are not dangerous and cannot be intoxicating.
“In practical terms, you can’t eat enough poppy seeds to get high,” according to an article from the University of Florida College of Medicine. “Moreover, processing them, such as washing, boiling or baking the seeds, drastically reduces their opioid content.”
But sometimes, eating foods containing the seeds can cause a person to fail drug tests, which are highly sensitive, the article said. Still, they are specifically exempt from the U.S. Controlled Substances Act.
The ‘Everything But the Bagel’ Phenomenon
Trader Joe’s seasoning has become incredibly popular in recent years. On social media, you can find recipes using it on everything from bread and eggs to salmon and Korean chive pancakes.
A Korean influencer, Kenji Kumagi, posted a video explaining the ban to his followers.
“I think this went viral on social media in Korea and everyone and their mothers who visit the US are buying these and bringing them back to Korea because they love them so much,” he said in the video.
In the comments, travelers shared their experiences. Some said they brought the herbs back to the country without any problems.
“I brought three bottles with me when I moved to Korea during Covid, and when the TSA in Incheon saw it, they thought it was diet food and let me keep it,” one commenter said.
Another American expat said she was able to have her order delivered earlier, but is disappointed that it is different now.
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“My order was recently seized by customs,” she said. “I was annoyed. Two years ago, it was no problem to ship it to Korea. I have to make it myself, without poppy seeds, I guess.”