We’re all too familiar with random bans from around the world, but it could also apply to food. The world of food regulations is a wild ride as it’s full of surprising rules and even cultural clashes. The snack you’re currently munching on may be banned from other countries for different reasons. Today, get ready to travel around the world as we’re visiting the 10 most shocking and controversial food bans worldwide.
10. The Rainbow Sprinkles That Triggered an International Incident
In case you’re not aware, there are no colorful sprinkles in donuts from the UK and the EU. Well, actually, they’re only banned if the sprinkles came from the US. In 2021, British bakery Get Baked was forced to stop using American-made sprinkles in its products. They’re pointing their fingers towards Red No. 3, a food coloring allowed by the FDA, which the EU linked with hyperactivity in children. The incident actually made international headlines about differences in food regulations.
9. The National Dish of Scotland Banned in the US
We all know Scotland’s national dish of haggis, but we haven’t tasted it. It’s a dish with a mix of sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs minced with spices. It’s been banned in the US since 1971, as the USDA states that livestock lungs aren’t fit for human consumption due to potential stomach fluid contamination and foodborne illness. The Scottish government actually lobbied against the ban, but it remains restricted.
8. Luxury Food Banned for Animal Cruelty
When we think of expensive foods, foie gras comes to mind. However, the dish is banned in many countries such as the UK, Germany, Italy, and Australia. The reason is because of animal cruelty, wherein birds are force-fed through tubes to fatten their livers 10 times the standard size. India became the first country to ban the dish in 2014. Meanwhile, California banned its production and sale, while New York City passed the same ban and is facing legal challenges.
7. Childhood Sweets Banned in the UK
Imagine your favorite childhood treats getting banned in another country. We’re talking about Jolly Ranchers, Swedish Fish, and Mountain Dew, which were pulled from shelves in the UK in December 2023. Why? They contain ingredients that are banned in the UK due to health concerns. This pulled discussions as the UK operates on a “precautionary principle,” while the US allows the use until proven harmful.
6. Chocolate Surprise Eggs Banned in the US
Remember those chocolate eggs with a toy surprise inside? It’s sad to say you can’t get those from the US. Any toy that’s embedded within food is already a federal offense. The reason? The 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act bans “non-nutritive object” from being attached to confectionery. According to the law, it’s a choking hazard for children. With that, Kinder Joy was introduced to the US market, which separates the toy and candy.
5. Cheese With Maggots Alive
This one’s not for everyone, as some of you will understand why it’s banned. The casu marzu is a traditional cheese from Sardinia, Italy, which is famous for being the most dangerous cheese in the world. Well, they’re infested with live maggots and are enjoyed as it is. These maggots are actually cheese skipper fly larvae that pose serious health concerns. The casu marzu is specifically banned in the EU and the US.
4. The Easter Candy That’s Getting a Makeover
Those marshmallow Peeps you get in Easter are actually getting a brand new makeover. It’s because they contain Red Dye No. 3, which the FDA will ban by January 2027 in all food products. This controversial red dye was actually banned by the FDA in 1990, but only from cosmetics and medicines, after it was seen causing cancer in lab animals.
3. Food Additive Banned in Europe But Legal in the US
Speaking of food additives, Red Dye No. 7 is only one of the few controversial additives. Another one is the azodicarbonamide, which is a chemical used to bleach flour and make dough rise fast. It can be found in American products like bread, frozen dinners, and packaged baked goods. However, Europe and Australia banned the additive. The World Health Organization found that the chemical causes respiratory issues and allergies in workers.
2. Endangered Delicacy Sold in Black Markets
Shark fin soup is a Chinese delicacy that also serves as a luxury symbol for them. The reason? It’s the use of shark fins for the soup. The dish has been controversial because of shark population declines, with some of its species facing extinction. The US, Canada, and UK banned all shark fin trades also because of their high mercury levels. While they aren’t completely illegal, sales and trades are highly prohibited. This is why high black market prices emerge.
1. The Deadly Delicacy That Requires a License to Serve
Believe it or not, pufferfish is a Japanese delicacy, and yes, they can be lethal. The fish itself contains tetrodotoxin, which is 1,200 times poisonous than cyanide. In Japan, chefs who prepare pufferfish undergo years of training and pass exams to earn their license. In the US, its importation is restricted and can only be served in licensed restaurants by certified chefs. Also, the FDA approves the supplier list.