In early June, Denmark recalled several popular spicy instant noodle products produced by Samyang, a South Korean company, due to high levels of capsaicin. Now, in the United States, a seasoning product from the well-known supermarket Trader Joe’s is highly sought after, but in South Korea, this seasoning is considered contraband. If brought into the country, it will be confiscated at the airport.
Trader Joe’s chain of supermarkets is not only popular among people of all ethnicities in the United States but also has a strong market presence in Asia. This American organic supermarket has a peculiar star effect in Japan, where many people can be seen carrying Trader Joe’s tote bags.
In the United States, Trader Joe’s “Everything but the Bagel Seasoning” is a consumer favorite and possibly the top-selling seasoning at the supermarket. This seasoning can be used as a topping for salmon, baked potatoes, salads, avocados, meats, and vegetables.
As one of the best-selling seasonings, this blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, onions, and sea salt brings a crisp, baked, and savory taste when added to dishes like roast chicken, buttery popcorn, baked potatoes, dipping sauces, pizza dough, salad dressings, pasta, macaroni and cheese, among others.
Although this seasoning is also popular in South Korea, it has become contraband due to the presence of poppy seeds. Since 2022, poppy seeds have been included in South Korea’s list of prohibited foods for import. In recent weeks, officials at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport have reported cases of these gifts being confiscated.
According to a report by The Washington Post on July 12, the South Korean Pharmaceutical Safety and Risk Management Institute stated that poppy is considered a narcotic, and the South Korean government has placed this seasoning on the list of “dangerous foods purchased overseas.”
However, this law in South Korea is not widely known, and on social media, some South Koreans recommend this seasoning as a gift from the United States. Kristen Lee, a lawyer at the Lee & Lee law firm in Seoul, expressed in an email to The Washington Post that some aspects of South Korea’s narcotics law are “at odds with reality and/or international trends.”
She noted that there have been cases where individuals who frequently purchase poppy seeds are subject to criminal investigations and summoned by authorities. However, people are usually not punished for possessing such contraband. “Most consumers who carry/own products containing poppy seeds are innocent,” she said.
So why were several spicy instant noodle products produced by Samyang recalled in Denmark? The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) announced on June 11 that they were recalling three flavors of Samyang instant noodles: Buldak 3x Spicy & Hot Chicken, 2x Spicy & Hot Chicken, and Hot Chicken Stew, due to the single-pack capsaicin content being “so high that there is a risk of consumers experiencing acute poisoning.”
However, Samyang has stated that there are no issues with the food quality.