Home / Business and Economy / Poppy Seeds Trigger Ban: Trader Joe's Seasoning Seized!
Poppy Seeds Trigger Ban: Trader Joe's Seasoning Seized!
12 Aug
Summary
- Singapore and South Korea banned a popular seasoning due to poppy seeds.
- Poppy seeds can be contaminated with opiates during harvesting.
- Authorities urged consumers to dispose of the spice immediately.
Trader Joe's popular "Everything But the Bagel" seasoning has been withdrawn from sale on e-commerce platforms in Singapore and South Korea. This action was taken because the seasoning contains poppy seeds. While poppy seeds are not inherently opiate-producing, they can become contaminated with opiates, such as morphine and codeine, during the harvesting process.
Authorities in Seoul confirmed the seasoning tested positive for opiates, leading to the removal of over 20 online listings. Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards controlled drugs, stating that possession or trafficking, even in trace amounts, is an offense. Singaporean officials are advising consumers to discard any purchased bottles of the seasoning.
Investigations in South Korea revealed that some individuals imported the seasoning as souvenirs and later listed them for resale. Police officials cautioned that products legally sold overseas might be classified as prohibited imports in Korea, requiring extreme caution.
