Online listings of popular Trader Joe's seasoning removed on CNB’s order over prohibited poppy seeds
The popular seasoning from the United States was recently blocked from sale in South Korea. In Singapore, Carousell and Lazada have removed listings of the product and are monitoring for new ones.
In Singapore, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) has removed over 20 online listings of Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel seasoning due to its prohibited poppy seeds content, which can contain traces of controlled drugs. Poppy seeds are classified as prohibited goods in the country as they can contain opioids such as morphine or codeine.
The CNB is actively investigating reports of the product being sold online and will take necessary actions, including removal of items from sale. Companies and individuals importing poppy seeds or foods containing them must obtain approval from the CNB and submit samples for analysis. The seasoning blend, released in 2017 by the American grocery chain Trader Joe's, gained popularity and became a souvenir for tourists.
South Korean authorities also blocked sales of the product due to its presence of morphine and codeine, and CNA found listings on Carousell and Lazada, which removed the identified listings upon receiving a notice from the CNB. Lazada also removed the listing and monitors for similar ones. The CNB emphasizes their zero tolerance policy towards controlled drugs and advises consumers to dispose of any purchased bottles of the seasoning.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
