The prohibition on certain foods in the United States can be due to various reasons, including animal welfare, health concerns, and social norms. Below is a list of foods that are restricted, heavily regulated, or best avoided. Please note that some of these items may involve disturbing or unconventional processes.
**Raw Milk**
The sale of raw, or unpasteurized, milk is prohibited by the FDA for interstate commerce due to potential pathogens. However, it may still be available within certain states, with regulations varying. For instance, Pennsylvania allows its sale for human consumption, while other states only permit it for animals.
**Tonka Beans**
This wrinkled legume, known for its vanilla, almond, and cinnamon flavors, has been illegal in the U.S. since 1954 due to the presence of coumarin, a compound linked to liver issues. The risk is generally associated with high concentrations.
**Mustard Oil**
Mustard oil, commonly used in northern Indian cuisine, contains elevated levels of erucic acid, associated with heart disease. Bottles of mustard oil in Indian or Bangladeshi stores often bear warnings for external use only.
**Shark Fins**
Considered a delicacy for centuries, shark fin harvesting involves cruel practices where sharks are finned and released back into the water. The commercial trade of shark fins was banned in the U.S. in 2019 to combat this inhumane process.
**Kinder Surprise Eggs**
These chocolate eggs with toys inside are prohibited in the U.S. under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act due to the choking hazard posed by non-food items in confections. Enthusiasts can enjoy Kinder Joy, a similar product with the candy and toy packaged separately.
**Ortolan**
These tiny birds, once a delicacy in France, faced bans on hunting and consumption due to dwindling populations. The U.S. also prohibits their import and consumption to align with efforts to protect these species.
**Sassafras Oil**
Safrole, a key component of sassafras oil, was linked to health concerns by the FDA, leading to restrictions on its use in root beer and other culinary applications.
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Cancer in animal studies led to the ban of sassafras oil in commercial food products. However, foraged sassafras leaves or roots still occasionally appear on menus across the country. Sassafras oil and safrole are also sometimes used in the production of MDMA, an illicit drug.
Horse Meat:
Despite the absence of a federal ban on horse meat, several states prohibit its commercial sale. States like Texas have a thriving horse-raising industry, with horses often being shipped to Canada or Mexico for slaughter. While horse meat is taboo in the U.S., it is readily available and prized in countries like Spain and Slovenia.
Fugu Fish:
Fugu, also known as Japanese Blowfish, contains a lethal poison in its internal organs, requiring expert handling for safe consumption. The U.S. only permits the import of fugu from certified processors in Japan, where it is frozen before shipment. Considered a delicacy, fugu can be found on exclusive Japanese menus in the country.
Haggis:
Although not all haggis is illegal in the United States, the traditional version cannot be imported from the UK. Haggis is a sausage-like mixture of offal encased in an animal’s stomach, typically a sheep’s. Traditional haggis contains lungs, which are illegal for consumption in the U.S. To address this, Scottish companies have begun producing lung-less haggis in the U.S.
Ackee Fruit:
Similar to lychee, ackee fruit is popular in Jamaican and West African cuisine, used in savory dishes like plantains or tomatoes. While canned and processed ackee can be legally imported to the U.S., fresh fruit is banned due to high levels of hypoglycin in the unripe fruit, which can lead to hypoglycemia.
Casu Marzu:
Originating from Sardinia, Italy, Casu Marzu is a type of cheese aged with fly larvae, resulting in a creamy and pungent product. Importing this cheese is not advisable, considering its unique preparation method.
Absinthe:
Absinthe sold in the U.S. since 2007 contains regulated levels of thujone, a compound linked to hallucinations and seizures. Contrary to popular belief, absinthe available today does not induce mystical experiences.
Sea Turtles:
Due to over-hunting and consumption, sea turtles became endangered, leading to their protection under the Endangered Species Act. Removing sea turtles from their natural habitat is considered a federal offense.
Queen Conch:
The queen conch, with its majestic appearance, was overfished in the 1970s. Belonging to the same family as clams and oysters, queen conch faced import restrictions due to conservation concerns.
While not banned in the U.S., harvesting queen conch is also illegal in the state of Florida. Foie gras, a luxurious product made through the force-feeding of birds, is prohibited in certain areas of the U.S. due to concerns for animal welfare. In California, the practice of force-feeding birds is entirely illegal, leading to a ban on foie gras. Likewise, Chicago has implemented a complete ban on the sale of foie gras products. New York City Council’s decision in 2019 to ban foie gras derived from force-feeding will come into effect by 2022. Cajun-style blackened redfish gained popularity in the 1980s, resulting in a strict ban on catching redfish by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission due to declining populations. Redfish was designated a protected game fish in 2007, with gradual recovery and some fishing allowances granted in recent years. Bird’s Nest Soup, made from edible bird’s nests such as those of the Indian swiftlet, is considered a rare delicacy in Chinese cuisine. However, the U.S. enforces stringent import restrictions on bird’s nests to prevent the spread of avian flu. Bushmeat, referring to wild game hunted in Africa, is completely banned in the U.S. to discourage hunting of wild animal populations and endangered species, as well as to prevent the spread of pathogens. Notably, the CDC has linked the spread of Ebola to bushmeat processing.
