16 Unexpected Foods Off US Menus Forever
Certain foods are banned in the United States due to potential health risks and safety concerns. Some because they pose choking hazards and others because, if not prepared properly, they can cause serious health problems.
These foods are prohibited because they pose health risks, involve inhumane practices, or threaten endangered species. It's important to understand the reasons behind these bans to see how important food safety, animal welfare, and conservation efforts really are.
Here are a few examples of foods that you won't find on the shelves in America, and why expactly.
1. Kinder Surprise Eggs
Kinder Surprise eggs, popular in Europe, are chocolate eggs with a small toy inside. However, the toy inside the hollow chocolate shell poses a choking hazard, leading to a ban in the United States by the FDA to protect young children.
Despite the ban, over 60,000 Kinder Surprise eggs have been seized at customs since 2011, because many don't know that it's something illegal to import. Fortunately, a similar product called Kinder Joy is available in the U.S., where the toy and candy come in safer packaging.
2. Fugu
Fugu is a unique delicacy in Japan made from puffer fish. It is hazardous due to a deadly neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which can cause paralysis and suffocation.
Although not completely banned in the U.S., it is highly regulated. Only a licensed seller may sell it, and chefs go through special training to prepare it safely. While it's technically legal to eat fugu in the U.S., it's very hard to find because of the health risks.
3. Shark Fins
Shark finning, the practice of removing fins from live sharks and discarding their bodies, has been illegal in U.S. waters since 2000 due to its cruelty. However, the sale of shark fins is only banned in 13 states, meaning the practice is still allowed in some regions.
While shark fin soup is considered a delicacy in several Asian countries, including China, U.S. regulations aim to protect sharks from inhumane treatment and overexploitation.
4. Raw Unpasteurised Milk
Most states ban or regulate raw milk due to health risks from dangerous bacteria, listeria, and salmonella, though these regulations vary depending on the state.
A few states allow farm sales, others permit medicinal sales, and some restrict the sale of raw milk products, including cow's milk. This ban also extends to certain raw milk cheeses, so in these areas, you won't find French cheeses like Mont D'or or Epoisse.
5. Haggis
Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep's heart, lung, and liver mixed with oatmeal and seasoning. It was historically served inside a sheep's stomach. This practice has led to its ban in the U.S.
In 1971, the USDA banned the use of sheep lungs due to the risk of scrapie, a disease that affects the sheep's central nervous system. As a result, Scottish communities in the U.S. are barred from enjoying authentic haggis.
6. Ackee Fruit
The ackee is Jamaica's national fruit, but unripened ackee contains very high amounts of hypoglycin A, which interferes with the regulation of blood sugar. Unripe ackee is metabolically toxic and can cause serious health problems, including hypoglycemia and severe dehydration.
Due to safety concerns, the FDA banned the import of raw ackee fruit in 1973. However, ackee can be obtained in the U.S., canned or frozen, if processed to safety standards.
7. Beluga Caviar
Beluga caviar, extracted from the endangered Beluga sturgeon, was banned in the U.S. in 2005 to protect the species from extinction due to overfishing.
The ban helps conserve ocean life, prevents the decline of endangered species, and supports sustainable fishing practices.
8. Sassafras Oil
Sassafras oil was once used in various traditional medicines, but it contains safrole, a carcinogenic substance. Due to its toxicity, the FDA banned the use of sassafras oil in 1976.
However, it's still legal to use sassafras root extracts as long as they are free from safrole. This allows consumers to continue using sassafras safely.
9. Black Pudding
Black pudding is a common part of a full English or Scottish breakfast, but it's nearly impossible to find in the U.S. because it needs to meet USDA standards in order to be imported.
However, U.S. versions of black pudding, also known as “blood sausage,” are available in stores. While authentic English black pudding is rare in the U.S., alternatives exist.
10. Absinthe
Absinthe contains thujone, an additive that can be lethal in large amounts. In the U.S., only absinthe with 10 parts per million is allowed to be sold.
Due to concerns about its hallucinogenic effects, higher levels of thujone are prohibited. These restrictions make sure that absinthe is safe to drink.
11. Ortolan
Ortolan, a small bird once considered a delicacy in France, is banned in the U.S. as it is a protected species. This ban aligns with international efforts to protect endangered species.
Once a luxury food for the wealthy, ortolan is now illegal to sell or import in the U.S., reflecting global efforts to conserve wildlife and prevent extinction.
12. Queen Conch
The Queen Conch, a large marine mollusk, is protected in U.S. federal waters due to overfishing. Commercial and recreational harvesting is prohibited to prevent further decline in their population.
While Queen Conch is a common dish in places like Turks & Caicos, U.S. regulations aim to protect this endangered species and promote sustainable practices.
13. Pigs Blood Cake
The preparation and consumption of dishes containing blood is common worldwide; however, not in the United States. Hence, there is no surprise that ti hoeh koe, a traditional Taiwanese dish of blood cake on a stick, is actually banned in America.
It was prepared by steaming pig blood mixed with rice, peanut powder, and several spices. It's a street delicacy in Taiwan, but you will never find it across the Pacific due to many hygiene issues in the preparation.
14. Chilean Sea Bass
Chilean sea bass has been overfished, which leads to strict regulations in the U.S. Only boats with certification are allowed to catch it, and tight quotas are in place.
These measures aim to prevent further population decline and keep fishing practices sustainable.
15. Sea Turtles
Turtles used to be killed for their meat, and U.S. laws protect these animals. Conservation efforts have listed some species either as endangered or threatened to avoid extinction.
The Endangered Species Act protects sea turtles. This law keeps people from catching or eating them, helping them survive in the ocean.
16. Casu Marzu
Casu marzu, a traditional Sardinian cheese made from raw sheep's milk and intentionally infested with live maggots, is known for its unique texture and strong flavor.
Due to health and sanitary concerns, casu marzu is prohibited in the U.S. and many other countries. The live maggots carry a serious health risk, making the cheese unsafe to eat.
