9 Most Controversial Foods Worldwide

With sky-high prices, extraordinary craftsmanship, and notably rare qualities, the following foods have become some of the most expensive items in the world.

However, these foods are vehemently opposed by nature conservation organizations, which have advised travelers not to use them in order to preserve the natural biodiversity balance.

1. Chinese Giant Salamander

The Chinese Giant Salamander is the largest amphibian in the world, reaching lengths of up to 1.83 meters. These creatures typically inhabit streambeds in hillside forests, and each one can be sold for $1,000. Due to high economic profits, this species is being overexploited for food trading activities.

2. Ortolan Bunting (Forest Finch), France

The Forest Finch species can be found throughout Europe, but it thrives most abundantly in France, where dishes made from this bird are considered traditional French cuisine. Despite efforts from nature conservation organizations, illegal poaching continues, leading to a 30% decline in their population over the past decade.

3. The Giant Ditch Frog (Dominica and Montserrat)

This small amphibian may not seem appealing as a food item, but it is highly popular in the Caribbean. The population of this species has declined by 80% over the past decade. Its meat is frequently found on restaurant menus, although it is now only available in the Dominica and Montserrat islands. The IUCN has listed this species as critically endangered, with an estimated remaining population of only about 8,000 individuals.

4. Dolphin (Dolphin), Japan and Taiwan

Dolphin meat is commonly and legally sold in Japan, although it is often mistaken and sold as whale meat. Dolphin hunting methods in Japan are controversial due to their brutality, and this species is also listed as at risk of extinction in Japan. In Taiwan, up to 1,000 dolphins are illegally captured each year, and the meat of this dolphin species is also openly sold at street food stalls, especially in Western Taiwan.

5. Gorilla (Great Ape), Republic of Congo

The gorilla species is on the brink of extinction due to the popularity of dishes made from this animal. In cities like Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo, smoked gorilla meat is openly (but illegally) sold in markets. Statistics show that over 400 are killed each year for sale, despite being listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

6. The Long-beaked Echidna (Long-beaked echidna), Papua New Guinea

The long-beaked echidna is one of two egg-laying mammals. This incredibly rare species, although protected by a ban on hunting for commercial purposes by the Papua New Guinea government, is severely declining due to human hunting for food. It is now extremely scarce in Papua New Guinea, but breeding programs in zoos worldwide are helping safeguard its future.

7. The Pangolin, China

Excessive demand for pangolin meat dishes in China has led to a severe decline in this species. Although hunting pangolins is now strictly prohibited in China, when visiting, you can still easily find dishes made from this animal.

8. The Green Sea Turtle (Green sea turtle), Cayman Islands

Tourists are likely to encounter the meat of this green sea turtle species in the Cayman Islands, where it's considered a traditional dish, legally consumed, and often prepared as soup, stew, or grilled. Despite being banned from import, it's still transported and sold in the US, across the Caribbean, Asia, and some Southern states. To halt the rapid decline of this species, animal protection organizations urge travelers to avoid dishes made from this creature.

9. Shark fin soup, China

Shark fin soup is an extremely expensive traditional dish, usually served at weddings or important ceremonies in China and several other Asian countries. There have been numerous campaigns to urge people to change their shark fin consumption habits, and Taiwan is the only country to ban shark finning and the dumping of shark carcasses into the sea. Recently, some airlines and hotels in Hong Kong have also removed this dish from their menus, and to address the controversies, the Chinese government has also prohibited the use of shark fin dishes in government banquets.

According to CNN

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Reference: Mytour Travel Guide