In today's world of heightened airport security, where the list of prohibited items grows longer by the day, one unexpected product has recently landed itself on the blacklist: Trader Joe's beloved Everything But the Bagel Seasoning. What started as a quirky blend of sesame seeds, garlic, onion, and salt has unwittingly become a potential pitfall for travelers heading to South Korea.

At Incheon International Airport, signs have sprouted like cautionary flowers, warning incoming passengers of a new prohibition. X (formerly Twitter) user @tothemerciless shared a snapshot last week, capturing the ominous declaration that this innocuous seasoning is now contraband. But why? The culprit lies not in its savory blend, but in an ingredient far more controversial: poppy seeds.
In South Korea, poppy seeds aren't just a baking ingredient; they're classified under the narcotic drugs control law as "Papaver Somniferum L," a member of the poppy family infamous for its opiate content. This categorization means that any product containing these seeds, no matter how trace the amount, is strictly prohibited from crossing the border. The consequences? Potential criminal investigations, hefty fines, and even imprisonment await those who dare to smuggle in their favorite bagel topping.

Despite assurances from experts that consuming these seeds won't induce a high, their mere presence can trigger positive drug test results for opiates like morphine or codeine. The University of Florida School of Medicine elucidated this in a February 2023 article, emphasizing the sensitivity of modern drug testing methods to even the smallest traces of opiates.
So, next time you pack your bags for Seoul or Busan, remember: leave the Everything But the Bagel Seasoning behind. South Korea's culinary delights surely offer enough flavors to satisfy any palate without risking an unintended rendezvous with airport security.
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