The Country Where Trader Joe's Everything Bagel Seasoning Is Prohibited

Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend has been a customer favorite since the grocery chain released it in 2017. It's so popular that it has even inspired spinoff TJ's products like Everything but the Bagel cheddar cheese, potato chips, mixed nuts, crackers, and smoked salmon. However, the famed product isn't welcome everywhere — in fact, one country has completely banned it.

In South Korea, Trader Joe's popular seasoning is a prohibited item. Airports in the country even have signage specifically depicting the Trader Joe's spice blend and declaring it a forbidden import. Passengers whose bags contained the product have reported being promptly detained and having their packages of seasoning confiscated before being allowed to proceed through customs.

The reason for such a strict ban on a seemingly innocuous foodstuff? The poppy seeds in the mixture. In South Korea, poppy seeds are classified as a narcotic due to their potential opiate content. While poppy seeds themselves don't contain opiates, the seeds can become contaminated with opium alkaloids during the harvesting process.

The U.S. embassy in the Republic of Korea carries a warning on its website that specifically mentions "popular bagel seasoning blends," though it doesn't call out the Trader Joe's product by name (unlike airport signage). The embassy cautions that attempts to enter any part of the country with this poppy seed-containing contraband could subject the offender to a criminal investigation, which may lead to fines, a ban on entering or exiting South Korea, and possible imprisonment.

South Korean officials have been actively increasing efforts to keep the restricted seasoning blend out of the country. However, the Trader Joe's brand itself has achieved something of a cult status throughout Asia. TJ's merch has become a hot fashion trend, particularly the brand's popular tote bags. Some tourists from Asia and elsewhere also make a point of visiting a Trader Joe's store when they're in the States — to the extent that the shop has become a travel destination in its own right.

Despite its outlaw status in South Korea (or perhaps evidenced by it), the popularity of the Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend is undeniable. These days, the seasoning is used on virtually everything. Hip pubs are even experimenting with alcoholic concoctions featuring the mix, including a trendy New York City lounge that offers a whiskey cocktail designed to taste like a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel.

While Trader Joe's reigns as royalty in the frozen food market and boasts hundreds of locations across the United States (only a handful of U.S. states lack a Trader Joe's), the franchise doesn't exist outside the contiguous 48 states. The brand prides itself on offering low prices to customers, and an international presence would pose costly challenges. So, international fans are unlikely to see the advent of overseas TJ's locations anytime soon.