25 Foods Banned Around The World

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1. Kinder Surprise (USA)

• Why banned: Contains a non-edible toy inside; violates U.S. FDA laws against embedding non-food items in food.

2. Foie Gras (India, UK (some parts), California)

• Why banned: Made by force-feeding ducks or geese, considered inhumane.

3. Haggis (USA)

• Why banned: Traditional Scottish dish containing sheep’s lung, which is illegal in the U.S.

4. Farmed Salmon (Australia & New Zealand)

• Why banned: Concerns over artificial coloring and antibiotics used in fish farming.

5. Casu Marzu (EU, USA)

• Why banned: Sardinian cheese infested with live maggots; health hazard due to bacterial contamination.

6. Raw Milk (Many U.S. states, Canada, Scotland)

• Why banned: Risk of listeria, salmonella, and E. coli.

7. Horse Meat (USA, UK (socially), parts of Brazil)

• Why banned: Ethical and cultural reasons; banned for slaughter and consumption in several countries.

8. Ortolan Bunting (France)

• Why banned: Small songbird protected by EU wildlife laws, historically eaten whole after being drowned in Armagnac.

9. Fugu (Iceland, EU)

• Why banned: Japanese pufferfish can be deadly if improperly prepared due to its tetrodotoxin.

10. Red Bull (France, Norway (previously))

• Why banned: Previously banned over health concerns due to high caffeine and taurine levels.

11. Sassafras Oil (USA)

• Why banned: Found in root beer; banned by FDA due to safrole, a potential carcinogen.

12. Beluga Caviar (USA)

• Why banned: From endangered Beluga sturgeon; banned to protect the species.

13. Shark Fin (USA (many states), Canada, UK)

• Why banned: Cruel harvesting practices and environmental harm.

14. Absinthe (USA (restricted), parts of Asia)

• Why banned: Thujone, a chemical in wormwood, was once thought to be hallucinogenic.

15. Artificial Food Dyes (EU regulations)

• Why banned: Dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5 are restricted or require warnings due to hyperactivity links in children.

16. Ackee Fruit (USA)

• Why banned: National fruit of Jamaica; toxic if not properly ripened—can cause “Jamaican Vomiting Sickness.”

17. Samosas (Somalia)

• Why banned: Banned by Al-Shabaab militants who claim its triangular shape represents the Christian trinity.

18. Irn-Bru (Canada)

• Why banned: Contains food colorings not approved by Canadian food regulators.

19. Ketchup (France (school cafeterias))

• Why banned: Banned in schools to protect French cuisine and reduce overuse among children.

20. Chewing Gum (Singapore)

• Why banned: Strictly regulated; originally banned to maintain public cleanliness and infrastructure.

21. Olestra (UK, Canada)

• Why banned: Fat substitute linked to gastrointestinal issues.

22. Bushmeat (Many countries globally)

• Why banned: Meat from wild animals; risks of zoonotic disease transmission like Ebola.

23. Sea Turtles (Globally protected)

• Why banned: Endangered species; illegal to consume in most countries.

24. Kinder Joy (Similar to Kinder Surprise, but legal in U.S.)

• Note: Kinder Joy is allowed because the toy is in a separate compartment.

25. Durian (Public transport bans in Singapore, Thailand)

• Why banned: Not illegal to eat, but banned in many public places due to its extremely pungent smell.

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