What’s tasty in one country can be a contraband in another. Across the globe, certain foods have been banned for being too dangerous or too weird that they raise red flags. Here are 8 of the most controversial foods ever banned.
8. Mini Jelly Cups (Konjac)
These look like harmless snacks, but they have been banned in the European Union, Australia, and other countries. Why? They’re a serious choking hazard. The cups contain konjac, a gelling agent that gives them a firm, slippery texture, and they have been linked to multiple choking deaths overseas. The konjac’s shape and consistency can create a tight seal in the throat, making them nearly impossible to dislodge.
7. Haggis (Scotland’s National Dish)
That’s right, one country’s proudest national dish is a contraband in another. Scotland’s haggis has been banned in the United States for over 50 years for containing the lungs of a sheep. Since the 1970s, the USDA ruled that livestock lungs are unfit for human consumption due to the risk of stomach fluid contamination. As of 2025, Scottish are exploring new lung-free recipes to finally bring their national dish to America.
6. Lab-Grown Meat
Now, how do you ban a food that isn’t on the market yet? Well, Florida has done it. It was the first US state to outlaw lab-grown, or “cultivated,” meat in May 2024, followed by Alabama and Texas. Proponents of the bans say they are safeguarding farmers, while opponents think that they’re protecting the traditional agriculture processes.
5. Tonka Beans
That bean with an intoxicating aroma of vanilla, cherry, and almond? It’s banned by the FDA since 1954. The bean contains coumarin, a chemical that can cause liver damage in high doses. So, it’s all about the dosage. You’d need to eat around 30 whole beans to reach toxic levels. This has created an underground market, with chefs often using the beans for desserts.
4. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
For over half a century, BVO, a vegetable oil modified with bromine, was used to prevent citrus flavoring from separating in your favorite soda. However, in August 2024, the FDA banned it after new studies revealed potential adverse health effects. Long-term exposure to BVO harms the nervous system, causing fatigue, headaches, and memory loss.
3. Kinder Surprise Eggs
Kinder Surprise Eggs are well-loved in over 100 countries, but in the United States, it’s a contraband. The Kinder Surprise, a hollow chocolate egg with a toy hidden inside, has been banned for being a potential choking hazard for children. To get around the ban, Ferrero launched Kinder Joy, which keeps the candy and toy in separate halves of the package.
2. Casu Marzu (Maggot Cheese)
Casu marzu is a traditional sheep’s milk cheese known for being one of the most dangerous foods in the world. Hailing from the Italian island of Sardinia, this cheese is infested with live maggots. Why? Because they help create the cheese’s soft, creamy texture. Sardinians have eaten this delicacy for centuries, but it’s banned from commercial sale in the EU and US due to obvious health risks.
1. Red No. 3 Food Dye
In 2025, the FDA finally announced that it’s banning the controversial food dye Red No. 3. This petroleum-based colorant has been used in thousands of products, from snack cakes to candy corn. The ban was a long delayed response from consumer groups. The food dye, as studies pointed out, can cause thyroid tumors and potentially contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.