South Korean airport authorities crack down on Trader Joe’s bagel seasoning

Travellers say the popular seasoning mix by the US brand has been the subject of increased confiscation by authorities, because it contains poppy seeds

A popular US food seasoning mix created for yummifying the tops of bagels" is the subject of an intensifying crackdown in South Korea, where poppy seeds - one of its key ingredients - are banned.

Trader Joe's Everything But the Bagel seasoning blend - a crunchy mix of sesame seeds, salt, dried garlic, dried onion and poppy seeds - has been on South Korea's list of restricted foods since 2022, but travellers say it has been the subject of increased confiscation in airports in recent weeks.