Singapore and South Korea have removed Trader Joe's "Everything But the Bagel" seasoning from e-commerce platforms due to its poppy seed content, which is banned in both countries. Authorities stated that while poppy seeds do not naturally contain opiates, they can become contaminated with opiates during the harvesting process.
Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau reported that over 20 online listings for the seasoning have been removed. Last week, Seoul authorities announced that the product tested positive for morphine and codeine, opiates derived from the poppy plant's sap. The seasoning, introduced by American grocery chain Trader Joe's in 2017, also contains sesame seeds, sea salt, minced garlic, and minced onion.
Authorities in Singapore have instructed consumers possessing the seasoning to dispose of it, emphasizing a strict zero-tolerance policy for controlled drugs. The Misuse of Drugs Act in Singapore stipulates that possession, consumption, importation, exportation, manufacturing, and trafficking of any controlled drug, even in trace amounts, are offenses.
In South Korea, investigators noted that some individuals imported the seasoning as souvenirs and then resold it online. Some sellers were reportedly unaware of the controlled substance classification, while others knew. A police official cautioned that products legally sold abroad may be classified as narcotic substances or prohibited imports in South Korea, requiring significant caution.