Singapore and S Korea pull Trader Joe's seasoning over poppy seeds
Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel seasoning contains poppy seeds which are banned in both countries.
Singapore and South Korea have removed Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel seasoning from online sales due to its poppy seed content. Poppy seeds, while not naturally containing opiates, can become contaminated with opiates during harvesting, making them illegal in both nations. Over 20 listings of the popular seasoning have been taken down by Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau.
Last week, South Korean authorities discovered the seasoning contained morphine and codeine, opiates found in the poppy plant's sap. The product, which also includes sesame seeds, sea salt, minced garlic, and onion, was introduced by Trader Joe's in 2017. Singapore has a strict "zero tolerance" policy for controlled drugs, and the possession, use, importation, exportation, production, or trafficking of such substances, including those in trace amounts, is illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
In South Korea, some people unknowingly brought the seasoning home as souvenirs from their trips abroad, while others were aware of its contents. Some of these individuals listed the seasoning for resale on online platforms. A police official noted that even if a product is legally sold overseas, it may still be classified as a narcotic or prohibited import in Korea, necessitating careful consideration.
Written by urgent.news from BBC World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
