Illegal Seasoning? Korea Enforces Unexpected Ban On Beloved Ingredient

Recently, a video posted by content creator Kenji Kumagai (@kenji_kun on TikTok and @kenjikundesu on Instagram) went viral, with 277.7K views at the time of writing. He claimed that the famous Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend was illegal in South Korea, as one of its ingredients, poppy seeds, is considered a “drug.”

@kenji_kun

Trader joe’s everything but the bagel sesame seasoning blend illegal in Korea #korea #korean #koreanculture #traderjoes #everythingbutbagelseasoning

♬ original sound – ᴋᴇɴᴊɪ ᴋᴜᴍᴀɢᴀɪ

In Korea, it went viral that people were traveling to the U.S. and would pick up the popular seasoning only to return to Korea, and the TSA agents would confiscate it because of the poppy seeds.

This is the only Everything Seasoning you’ll ever need for decorating and yummifying the tops of bagels—but that’s not everything. This simple (yet exemplary) blend of sesame seeds (white and black), poppy seeds, dried garlic & onion, and sea salt flakes is all you need for bringing that crunchy, roasted, savory flavor to grilled chicken, buttered popcorn, baked potatoes, creamy dips, pizza dough, salad dressings, pasta, mac & cheese, or panko-breaded anything.

— Trader Joe’s

Kang Joo-eun, 31, read about the ban on social media the night before she returned to South Korea from her honeymoon in New York. She was planning to bring the seasoning but she eventually decided against it. To her surprise, after she landed in South Korea, Kang was pulled aside for inspection. ‘Agents walked around showing people a picture of Everything but the Bagel seasoning and took away the jars,’ she said. It turned out she had forgotten to discard nuts that were coated with the same seasoning.

— The Washington Post

Bagel seasoning are getting confiscated at the airport
byu/katefromnyc inkorea

When Kenji’s video went viral, it sparked discussion. Many were in disbelief that poppy seeds could be illegal due to their common use in other countries’ baked goods. Yet, some remembered being previously exposed to the possibility of testing positive for drugs due to consuming too many poppy seeds.

Despite many people reportedly having the seasoning confiscated while traveling to Korea, others claimed in the comment section that they successfully brought in bottles. So, it might depend on the TSA agents’ discretion.

Others pointed out how poppy seeds could potentially be a problem as it’s an oilseed obtained from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Opium is considered an addictive depressant drug. Poppy seeds technically don’t have enough opiates to intoxicate someone. Still, according to the Mayo Clinic, “Poppy seed pods contain morphine and codeine, which are opioid medicines. The seeds are coated with small amounts of these opioids, which remain in the liquid when the seeds are removed. The amount of opioids in the seeds can vary depending on the growing and harvesting conditions of the plant.”

The poppy seed is mentioned in ancient medical texts from many civilizations. For instance, the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus, written c. 1550 BC, lists the poppy seed as a sedative. The Minoan civilization (approximately 2700 to 1450 BC), a Bronze Age civilization which arose on the island of Crete, cultivated poppies for their seeds, and used a milk, opium and honey mixture to calm crying babies. The Sumerians are another civilization that are known to have grown poppy seeds.

— Wikipedia

Besides, while it had historically not been an issue having seasonings with poppy seeds included in South Korea, they have been banned in nearby countries.

It is considered one of the most exotic spices in India especially in Bengal. But the seed is banned in Singapore and Taiwan due to its morphine content. It is, reportedly, considered as ‘prohibited goods’ by the Central Narcotics Bureau in Singapore. It is also banned in Saudi Arabia and UAE. However, in Russia, poppy cultivation is allegedly illegal, but not selling.

— ET Online

Now that this has become a hot topic in South Korea, it has made worldwide news headlines. The Korea Customs Service (KCS) has clarified that food and seasoning blends containing poppy seeds are technically against the law. According to The Korea Times, the KCS will “initiate a special campaign from July 22 to Aug. 11 to promote more honest customs declarations among travelers.”

We’ve had cases of travelers who possess nutritional supplements and seasonings with addictive substances. These substances are permitted for medical and culinary purposes in other countries but are strictly prohibited in Korea.

— The Korea Customs Service