Buzz
Americans are passionate about food, and they can find nearly anything they desire at restaurants, markets, farms, and grocery stores. However, some foods are banned across the United States. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited a number of items from being sold or consumed due to safety concerns. Below is a list of the top ten foods that are unexpectedly banned in the US.
10. Haggis
Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from a mixture of sheep's liver, heart, and lungs, blended with beef and oatmeal, and seasoned with onions, cayenne peppers, and other spices. This blend is stuffed into a sheep’s stomach and boiled. Haggis is often served with turnips and mashed potatoes and holds a special place as Scotland’s national dish.
Haggis is currently prohibited from being imported into the United States. In 1971, the US banned all food items containing animal lungs. Despite numerous attempts by Scotland to convince the US to lift the ban and revise its food safety regulations, these efforts have consistently failed.
9. Beluga Caviar
The beluga sturgeon, the largest species of sturgeon, can reach over 900 kilograms (2,000 lbs) in weight and grow longer than 4.5 meters (15 feet). It may take as long as 25 years for a female beluga to mature and start producing eggs. Beluga caviar ranges from light to dark grey in color and is known for having the largest grain size. Its pearls are particularly delicate, offering a subtle, buttery taste.
In 2005, the United States imposed a ban on the import of beluga caviar due to overfishing. At that time, the U.S. consumed approximately 60 percent of the world’s supply of beluga caviar, often referred to as the 'king' of caviar, due to its steep price of $200 per ounce. The demand was so high that the stock of beluga caviar plummeted by 90 percent. The depletion was largely driven by poaching and illegal trade.
8. Unpasteurized Milk
Unpasteurized milk, also known as raw milk, is milk that has not undergone pasteurization, a process that heats the milk to kill harmful bacteria. Because it hasn’t been heat-treated, raw milk can carry a higher risk of contamination with bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. This risk is particularly high for children, whose immune systems are still developing.
The FDA has prohibited the interstate sale or distribution of raw milk in the US, but states have the authority to establish their own regulations on raw milk sales. While consuming unpasteurized milk is permitted in all 50 states, 20 states have laws that ban the sale of raw milk. Thirteen states allow raw milk to be sold in retail stores, and 17 states restrict its sale to only on-farm transactions.
A growing movement in the United States advocates for consuming organic and locally sourced foods. Supporters of raw milk believe it offers greater nutritional benefits and introduces 'beneficial bacteria' to the body. In the states where raw milk is legally sold, consumers are typically required to be informed of potential health risks due to pathogens that could be present in the milk.
7. Sassafras Oil
Sassafras oil is derived from the dried root bark of the sassafras tree. These trees typically grow between 6 to 12 meters (20–40 feet) tall, with slender branches and bark that varies from orange to brown. Their leaves are oval in shape, ranging from 8 to 18 centimeters (3–7 inches) in length, and the tree's flowers are small, often appearing in shades of green or yellow.
Several Native American tribes utilized sassafras for medicinal purposes, including treating acne, urinary conditions, and fevers. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is also used to address issues like rheumatism and trauma. The twigs of sassafras were once fashioned into toothbrushes, and the plant itself served as an early anesthetic and disinfectant. Sassafras also featured prominently in American cuisine, often as a key ingredient in root beer and teas.
The FDA has banned the use of sassafras bark, oil, and safrole as flavorings or food additives due to safety concerns. After studies linked sassafras to cancer in 1979, it was declared unsafe for human consumption. Furthermore, excessive consumption of sassafras oil can result in poisoning.
6. Ortolan
The ortolan is a small bird from the bunting family, Emberizidae, weighing less than an ounce. Once a controversial delicacy in France, it is traditionally cooked for eight minutes and served with its head intact. The bird is intended to be eaten whole, including the head and bones.
In the 1990s, France outlawed the killing and sale of the ortolan, but poachers continued to capture the small bird and sell it to local restaurants. The League for the Protection of Birds in France reported a 30 percent decline in the ortolan population despite the ban, prompting the government to implement stricter enforcement measures in 2007.
The controversy surrounding the ortolan is less about its rarity and more about the cruel methods used to kill it. During their migration, these birds are trapped and confined in covered cages. Since the ortolan feeds more at night, the covering of the cages encourages them to overeat, causing their bodies to swell to twice their normal size. In ancient times, emperors would even remove the birds' eyes to deceive them into thinking it was nighttime so they would consume more. The birds are eventually submerged alive in a vat of Armagnac, which drowns and marinates them simultaneously.
France now rigorously enforces the ban on ortolan hunting. It is a criminal offense to kill, cook, or smuggle the bird in the European Union or the United States.
5. Casu Marzu
Casu marzu, which translates to 'rotten cheese' in English, is also known by its more unsettling nickname, 'maggot cheese.' This traditional Sardinian cheese is first soaked in brine, smoked, and aged in a cheese cellar. Once it reaches a certain point, the cheese is left uncovered outdoors, where cheese flies can lay their eggs in it.
The eggs hatch into maggots that begin feeding on the cheese, releasing enzymes that speed up fermentation and break down the fats in the cheese. As a result, the cheese becomes extremely soft and leaves a burning sensation on the tongue when eaten. Local Sardinians claim the cheese is only considered good when the maggots are still alive. If the maggots have died, the cheese has spoiled and is too toxic to eat. Casu marzu does not meet European Union hygiene standards and is illegal. It is also banned in the United States due to being unpasteurized and containing more than six mites per square inch, which live on the surface of the aged cheese.
4. Shark Fins
Shark finning, the practice of removing a shark's fins, has been outlawed in the United States. This cruel practice poses one of the greatest dangers to shark populations. Once a shark's fin is removed, the shark is often thrown back into the ocean, where it may suffocate, bleed out, or fall prey to other predators.
Shark fin soup, a luxurious and sought-after dish in many parts of Asia, drives a significant market for shark fins. These fins are widely available in food stores, pharmacies, and fishing villages across the continent. The demand for shark fins has led to the practice of hunting sharks exclusively for their fins. However, you won’t be able to find shark fin soup in the United States anytime soon.
3. Kinder Surprise Chocolate Eggs
Kinder Surprise Chocolate Eggs are a beloved candy worldwide, but they’re banned in the United States. Over billion of these chocolate eggs are sold annually, but none of them make it to US shelves. The eggs are hollow chocolate, inside of which is a plastic capsule containing a small toy, typically a simple collectible like a tiny bike or a miniature beach bucket and pail.
Kinder Surprise Eggs have been illegal in the United States for years, due to a 1938 regulation that prohibits the sale of candy containing non-nutritive objects. Despite multiple attempts to import the chocolate eggs, the US government has consistently upheld the ban and recalled the items when introduced. But there’s good news for American fans: in May, Kinder announced they would be releasing a similar chocolate egg in the US market!
Kinder is set to unveil the Joy Egg, a more recent version that separates the toy from the chocolate, featuring two sealed halves. This new design complies with FDA regulations and meets Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. While it differs from the original Kinder Surprise, it allows US fans to enjoy a similar experience.
2. Mirabelle Plum
The mirabelle plum is a small, oval-shaped fruit with a vibrant yellow color, typically grown on mirabelle plum trees. Known for its sweet and delicious flavor, it’s commonly used in preserves and pies. This fruit is primarily found in France, where 70% of the world’s mirabelle production takes place.
Since 1996, the mirabelle plum has been protected by a Geographical Indication to ensure its authenticity. This protection has helped to position it as a high-quality regional product, and it has become virtually impossible to import the fruit into the US.
1. Ackee Fruit
Ackee fruit may seem like a delightful and tasty treat, but caution is necessary before consuming it. Improper preparation can lead to severe reactions, including vomiting, coma, or even death. In Jamaica, the dangerous effects of ackee are referred to as Jamaican Vomiting Sickness.
The ackee fruit’s protective pod turns red and naturally opens, revealing the edible yellow arilli that surround the toxic black seeds. In Jamaica, it is commonly paired with codfish in a popular national dish.
Originally native to West Africa, the ackee fruit was brought to Jamaica in 1778 and has since become the island’s national fruit. The FDA initially banned all ackee, but later allowed the sale of frozen or canned varieties. The importation of fresh ackee remains prohibited.
