Buzz
Even if you stick to three hearty meals daily, there’s always that mid-afternoon moment when your stomach starts growling, and you risk slipping into hanger mode. What’s the solution? A snack! But what if the treat you grab is actually forbidden? Below is a list of delicious snacks, both sweet and savory, that have been banned in various places. Curious why? Keep reading!
10. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
Cheetos have been a staple in kids’ lunchboxes since their debut over 50 years ago, but the Flamin’ Hot version didn’t hit cafeterias until the 1990s, for better or worse. While undeniably delicious, this spicy snack was banned in several school districts across New Mexico, California, and Illinois due to its lack of nutritional value and an unexpected side effect that alarmed parents. The high amount of red dye in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos can turn stools a startling red or orange, leading to unnecessary ER visits by worried caregivers who mistake it for a medical emergency.
9. Kinder Eggs
Ferraro, an Italian brand, produces the infamous snack known as “Kinder Surprise,” commonly called “Kinder Eggs.” These treats feature a milk chocolate and cream shell encasing a plastic container, which holds a small toy often requiring assembly. While kids adore the mix of candy and play, and collectors might save the toys, the FDA in the U.S. was unimpressed. Though allowed in Mexico and Canada, Kinder Eggs were banned in the U.S. due to laws prohibiting candy from containing “non-nutritive objects,” like toys, which pose a choking risk. However, in 2017, “Kinder Joy” became available in the U.S., as it separates the chocolate from the toy.
8. Chocolate Milk
In late 2019, Tempe Elementary School District in Arizona banned chocolate milk from their cafeterias, joining other regions like Washington, D.C., Rochester, NY, Minnesota, and San Francisco. The ban aimed to reduce students’ intake of added sugars and high-fructose corn syrup. While Tempe faced little pushback, New York City’s potential ban on flavored milk sparked concerns among congress members, who worried about the impact on dairy farmers.
7. “French” Fries
In a move that sparked widespread media attention, Rep. Bob Ney, an Ohio Republican, banned the term “French” fries in the House cafeteria, renaming them “Freedom” fries. This symbolic gesture was a response to France’s refusal to support the Iraq War post-9/11. While it seemed absurd, it mirrored World War I-era renaming, such as “liberty cabbage” for sauerkraut. The name reverted to “French” fries in 2006 without much notice.
6. British Cadbury Chocolate
Fans of Cadbury chocolate often notice a distinct difference in taste when purchasing the snack in the U.S. compared to the original British version. This isn’t a figment of their imagination: Hershey, the chocolate giant, holds the rights to produce and sell Cadbury bars in the U.S., but it uses a different recipe. The primary difference lies in the first ingredient—milk in the U.K. version versus sugar in the American one. British Cadbury also contains more fat and no preservatives. Hershey enforces strict rules against selling British-made Cadbury in the U.S., even taking legal action against small businesses that attempt to sell the imported chocolate. While Hershey isn’t a regulatory body, its licensing agreements give it the power to restrict the sale of British Cadbury in the U.S., much to the dismay of Anglophiles.
5. Cupcakes
Cupcakes, especially birthday ones adorned with frosting and sprinkles, are often seen as the ultimate treat. However, in 2016, Northshore Elementary School in Knox County, Tennessee, decided to ban them. Parents received a notice prohibiting cupcakes for birthdays or special events. Principal Brandon Pratt enforced strict nutritional guidelines for all food brought from home, focusing on calorie, sodium, sugar, and fat limits. Pratt justified the rules by referencing a past incident where a student suffered anaphylactic shock from a candy allergy. Since the guidelines were implemented, the school’s culture has shifted, with events like Valentine’s Day now encouraging the exchange of stationery instead of candy.
4. Milkshakes
While most snack bans on this list originate in the U.S., this one stands out for its unique circumstances. Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, instructed a specific McDonald’s to stop selling milkshakes for a day. The reason? The fast-food outlet was near an event attended by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage. Protesters had gained notoriety for dousing individuals they disagreed with using milkshakes. This trend gained momentum after a 2019 video went viral, showing a McDonald’s milkshake being thrown at British political campaigner Tommy Robinson, who faced a similar incident days later. Fearing further milkshake attacks, law enforcement intervened, prompting the restaurant to post a sign: “We will not be selling milkshakes or ice creams tonight. This is due to a police request given recent events.”
3. Popcorn
It’s hard to imagine watching a movie without the familiar crunch of popcorn, but there was a time when theaters banned the snack. Early cinemas screened silent films, attracting a more refined audience who dressed formally and behaved as if attending a traditional theater. Theaters were lavishly decorated, with plush carpets that owners wanted to protect from food stains, leading to the popcorn ban. However, the rise of “talkies” transformed movie-going culture. Theater owners soon realized the profitability of selling popcorn in their lobbies, cementing its place as a staple of the cinematic experience.
2. Pizza
Pizza, whether enjoyed as a snack or a full meal, became a contentious issue for the residents of San Vitaliano, a small Italian town. In 2015, the town faced severe smog levels, typically seen in larger cities. Surprisingly, wood-burning pizza ovens were identified as a major contributor. Authorities banned the use of these ovens unless they were equipped with special filters. Local pizza makers were outraged, arguing that their ovens weren’t the primary cause of pollution. Given that Mount Vesuvius, a dormant but not extinct volcano, lies less than 20 miles away, their claims may have held some weight.
1. Soda
The ban on this particular snack inadvertently led to the rise of another: soda. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many states enacted “Blue Laws,” which were rooted in religious principles and aimed to restrict activities deemed too pleasurable or “sinful.” Among these restrictions was the prohibition of liquor sales on Sundays, as well as a ban on “sucking sodas” on the Sabbath. The reasoning behind the soda ban remains unclear, though it likely stemmed from concerns about young people gathering at soda shops. These establishments served treats like root beer floats and ice cream sodas, made with a soda base and topped with ice cream. Faced with the need for a Sunday-legal alternative, shop owners replaced soda with syrup, giving birth to the Ice Cream Sunday. Over time, the spelling evolved from “Sunday” to “Sundae,” possibly reflecting its popularity beyond just Sundays, as it became a daily treat.
