You might think food bans only apply to strange or exotic dishes. No. Many everyday items from other countries are illegal in the U.S. Some are banned for safety reasons, while others are prohibited for environmental or ethical concerns. Either way, you won’t find them at your local supermarket, no matter how adventurous your palate is.
Food laws in the U.S. can be strict, sometimes even surprising. From cheeses to seafood to candy, certain ingredients just don’t cut it. Curious about what you’re missing out on—and why? Here’s a list of foods that are off-limits in America.
Ackee (Unripe)
A staple in Jamaican cuisine, ackee must be fully ripe before it’s safe to eat. Unripe fruit contains toxins that can cause seizures and death. Only canned or frozen ackee that meets safety standards is permitted for import.
Fugu (Pufferfish)
Considered a delicacy in Japan, fugu contains a potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, found in its organs. Even a small amount can cause paralysis or death. Although Japanese chefs undergo years of training to prepare it safely, U.S. regulations heavily restrict its import and sale, with only a few exceptions under strict control.
Haggis
This traditional Scottish dish combines sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs with oats, onions, and spices, all cooked inside the animal’s stomach. But in the U.S., it’s illegal to sell authentic haggis. The USDA banned animal lungs from the food supply, calling them “unfit for human consumption,” as noted in a New York Times opinion piece. Despite efforts to lift the ban, real haggis remains off-limits in American stores.
Kinder Surprise Eggs
These chocolate treats contain a small toy capsule inside, which violates a U.S. law prohibiting non-nutritive objects in food due to the choking hazard they pose. They’re legal in many countries but banned in the U.S. Thousands are confiscated by customs each year.
Casu Marzu
A Sardinian cheese intentionally infested with live larvae to aid fermentation. It’s banned in the U.S. because of health concerns, including the risk of intestinal infestation if the larvae survive digestion.
Absinthe
Once thought to cause hallucinations, absinthe was banned in the U.S. until 2007. It’s now legal only if it contains less than 10 milligrams of thujone per liter. Traditional versions with higher levels remain off-limits.
Shark Fins
The practice of shark finning—removing fins and discarding the live body—has led to bans in 14 U.S. states and federal restrictions. The dish is still considered a delicacy in some cultures, but its environmental impact is severe.
Horse Meat
Horse meat is legal in parts of Europe and Asia, but the U.S. has effectively banned it. No federal funds are allocated to inspect horse slaughterhouses, making it illegal to process the meat for human consumption.
Sassafras Oil (Pure)
Once used in root beer and medicines, pure sassafras oil contains safrole, a known carcinogen and a precursor for MDMA. The FDA bans its use as a food additive. Only safrole-free extracts are allowed.
Unpasteurized Milk (Raw Milk)
Raw milk can carry harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and Listeria. While some states permit direct farm sales, interstate distribution is typically prohibited. Studies have highlighted that 127 outbreaks linked to raw milk were reported to the CDC between 1993 and 2012.
Bird’s Nest Soup
Made from the saliva of swiftlets, bird’s nest soup is prized in Chinese culture by many, including foreigners who appreciate its unique qualities. Due to contamination risks, especially with avian influenza, imports are tightly regulated and must be sterilized to be sold in the United States.
Bushmeat
This includes meat from wild animals, such as chimpanzees and antelopes. It’s banned in the U.S. because of the serious health risks it poses. Eating it can expose people to dangerous infections that spread from animals to humans.
Mirabelle Plums
These small golden plums from France are banned due to agricultural protection laws. The concern is that they might introduce pests or diseases that could damage domestic crops. This helps protect the U.S. farming landscape.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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