Spice Scandal: Everything Bagel Seasoning Confiscated at Korean Airports

Disclaimer: While this story is spiced with facts, it’s also seasoned with a special blend of satire.

Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning is a staple in many American households, but travelers looking to sprinkle some in South Korea are in for a whole spice rack of trouble.

Believe it or not, this seasoning blend has been illegal in South Korea for two years. The reason? This bad boy contains poppy seeds, which are considered a designated narcotic according to Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Dang, I thought South Korea was the chill one?

At Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, there’s signage explicitly warning travelers that possession of this specific Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning is a crime. I mean, the blend of flavors is explosive, but come on!

TJ’s seasoning is not the only Everything Bagel product that’s banned in Korea. Airport officials are confiscating anything seasoned in this demon dust. Bagel chips, you’re outta here!

Korean Everything But The Bagel Seasoning enthusiasts have been sharing their traumatic airport experiences online. Getting treated like a drug mule for possession of a salt substitute has got to be humiliating. Imagine getting busted… for flavor.

Although on the bright side, you probably get to meet some pretty cute dogs!

“They took my seasoning, man. I need my fix of those herbs and spices.”

– Deacon Hollis, Airport Bagel Junkie

Hopefully, America isn’t planning on adopting these ridiculous bans anytime soon, or else I’ll have to find another way to get plastered every weekend.

Personally, there’s nothing I’d rather do on a Friday night than kick back, relax, and slam several bottles of dry, coarse bagel seasoning, no chaser. Sure, my esophagus is wrecked, but after my 18th or 19th bottle, I’ll think I met Trader Joe himself.

Incheon International Airport declined to respond for comment, but officials did let it slip that they’ve seen the episode of Seinfeld where Elaine’s drug test comes back positive for opium after binging on poppy seed muffins, and they’re not taking any chances.

Travelers beware: if you’re planning a trip to Korea, leave your Everything Bagel Seasoning at home. Unless you’re into the whole full-body cavity search thing. No judgment!