If you walk into a supermarket or an all-you-can-eat
buffet restaurant, it’s easy to get blown away by the sheer selection of foods. In America, if you want to eat something and
have the cash, the odds are you can find it. But that’s not always the case. Some iconic foods are actually illegal in
America. If you try to sell or import these foods,
you could wind up having your goods seized by the government and facing fines - or even
jail time in some cases. Some are dangerous to the eater, some are
banned for conservation reasons, and some are just flat-out shocking. But the one thing they all have in common? They’re not going to be on the shelves any
time soon. But the first on this list might be a fond
childhood memory for many. #20. Kinder Surprise Chocolate Eggs A tasty treat imported from Italy, these desserts
are a candy and a toy in one. The rich milk chocolate shell covers a plastic
egg - similar to the ones hidden in Easter egg hunts. When the happy child eats the chocolate shell
and opens the egg, they’ll find a mystery toy inside. This made many kids very happy - but it wasn’t
without its risks. Authorities were worried about the toy being
a choking hazard, and US policies ban any candy from containing a non-nutritive object. So the Kinder Egg was banned in America despite
protests, and the Ferrero company issued a new version for Americans without the plastic
egg and toy. But what’s the fun in that? This next entry was also a sweet treat - but
it hid its danger much more effectively. #19. Konjac Jelly Cups Remember those jello cups you used to get
in your lunch? Popular in Japan, Konjac jelly cups look similar
but come in smaller portions that can be slurped in one go. Made from a root, it’s popular for being
extremely low in calories and having a firmer consistency than most gelatin-based desserts. They come in multiple flavors and often have
bits of coconut embedded in them. But the low calories come with a dangerous
drawback. Because they’re slow to dissolve and it’s
easy to suck down the whole gel, they pose a choking risk to young children. So while they remain a popular snack abroad
- and konjac is still used in other ways, like as zero-calorie noodle substitutes - the
colorful snacks have been prohibited in the US since 2002. You might be shocked to know this next item
could be illegal - you probably had it this week. #18. Unpasteurized Milk Milk definitely isn’t illegal in the United
States - countless quarts are sold each week. But almost all the milk sold in the country,
and definitely all the milk at your local supermarket, has been pasteurized before sale
in order to kill bacteria and render it more shelf-stable and safer for consumption. But some aficionados insist that pasteurized
milk loses both the true taste and many of the nutrients of milk. Whether that’s true or not, unpasteurized
milk is 150 times more likely to cause illness than the pasteurized kind, according to the
FDA. That’s why it’s banned in 21 states, and
most of the other 29 strictly regulate it. This next one used to be a common ingredient
- but with a surprising kick. #17. Sassafras Oil If you’ve heard of Sassafras, it’s probably
as an old-timey candy flavor your grandfather gave you. It used to be much more common, but is mostly
known today as the key flavor in old-school root beer. Many root beers are flavored artificially
today, and there’s a reason for that - Sassafras oil is double trouble. Not only has it been linked to an increased
risk of cancer and kidney and liver damage, but it can be used to make psychoactive drugs. This is all due to a compound named safrole,
and while it’s been banned since the 1960s, extracts from the bark of the sassafras plant
can still be sold if they’re free of the dangerous compound. This next food might be banned in America
- but it’s iconic in Jamaica. #16. Ackee The national fruit of Jamaica, Ackee has been
described as being a nutty fruit with the texture of scrambled eggs. That’s made it a common component in the
breakfast dish Ackee and Saltfish. But while it’s a staple on the island nation,
it poses a danger if not handled carefully. When the fruit is unripe, it’s loaded with
hypoglycin A, a toxin that can cause hypoglycemia and dehydration by impeding the body’s ability
to lower blood sugar. The raw fruit has been banned since 1973 by
the FDA, but not all hope is lost for fans of the Jamaican treat - canned and frozen
fruits are available, although carefully regulated. But none of these foods can easily kill you. That’s not true for this next one. #15. Fugu No, this fish isn’t banned because it can
puff up and stick you with its spines. It’s considered a delicacy in the sushi
world, but only the masters of the sushi knife dare to serve it. That’s because - as immortalized on an early
episode of The Simpsons - hidden in the skin and in some of the organs is an incredibly
deadly toxin named tetrodotoxin. This neurotoxin can cause paralysis and can
kill people who eat enough, and one wrong knife cut could contaminate the whole fish. For most people, that’s enough to steer
away. But many thrill-seeking gourmets are willing
to take the risk. But the government isn’t. Sale and consumption of Fugu is banned in
the United States except for a select few chefs who are properly trained. But some regulations aren’t here to protect
us - they’re here to protect the animals. #14. Horse Meat While horses aren’t endangered, they’re
viewed as beloved companions by much of the country - and eating them just seems rude. It’s not illegal to eat horse meat, but
it’s not going to be easy - slaughtering horses using slaughterhouses is illegal, as
is importing the meat or selling it. While the meat is a common delicacy in other
countries around the world, the US ban was just renewed in 2018 - no doubt pleasing horse
lovers around the country. Even if they may swear otherwise after their
horse comes in last at the derby. But it doesn’t take much for a species to
become endangered - as this next fish found out. #13. Wild Redfish The redfish, or red drum, was a common game
fish in the American south and was generally considered a good fish to eat, but it wasn’t
the most in-demand - until one chef changed that. Paul Prudhomme, a celebrity chef considered
a legend of Cajun and Creole food, made a dish of blackened redfish that made this humble
catch the hottest fish in town. And that meant fishing. Lots and lots of fishing, which quickly led
to the population drastically decreasing. Since 2007, it’s been a protected game fish,
which prohibits the sale of any caught in federal waters. Fishing for the redfish is now banned in all
states but Mississippi, although some farmed fish are available. And it’s worked - the population is quickly
recovering. Not many people can afford this next treat
- but that didn’t stop it from becoming endangered. #12. Beluga Caviar Caviar, the salty eggs of the sturgeon, is
one of the most expensive delicacies in the food world. And few were more prized than the caviar from
the Beluga sturgeon, found in the Caspian and Black seas. This fish’s eggs are prized for their subtle
flavor, and could command as much as $200 an ounce. The demand was high, and the fish was soon
on the verge of extinction. So in 2005, the US joined other countries
in banning import of Beluga caviar, hoping to help the species recover and repopulate. While a black market still exists, the species
has survived to this day - although it remains critically endangered. But it’s not the only endangered treat from
the sea. #11. Queen Conch Most conches are small, and some are among
the most venomous animals in the world. But the Queen Conch, native to the Caribbean
sea, is one of the largest sea snails and has a meaty body that makes it a seafood delicacy. Its size makes it easier to catch, and that’s
made it an endangered species. While it remains a popular meal in Turks and
Caicos, the United States has tried to reduce demand by banning its harvest in US federal
waters. But determined seafood fans can always head
to the Caribbean. This next sea creature is a beloved resident
of the ocean - but also on the menu. #10. Sea Turtles Most kids probably associate them with the
wise old sea turtle Crush from Finding Nemo, but these reptiles are considered a delicacy
in many parts of the world. That’s led many species, including the Leatherback
and Hawksbill turtles, to become endangered. The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates
that in California alone, 35,000 turtles are caught and eaten each year. While individual turtle species are protected
and illegal to catch and sell, turtle meat as a whole isn’t - in fact, you might be
able to find turtle soup made from land or freshwater turtles on sale at a local supermarket. It might surprise you to learn we eat these
next creatures more than vice versa. #9. Shark Fin Soup Oh, no! A shark! Stay out of the water! While most of us have seen movies involving
killer sharks, we are actually a far bigger threat to them than they are to us. The gelatinous fins on large sharks are considered
a delicacy and are used to flavor a popular Chinese soup. Shark finning, which involves cutting the
fins off sharks and throwing them back in the water, is increasingly considered cruel
and has led to the shark population decreasing. While the sale of shark fins is only banned
in twelve states and the soup is still a popular - and expensive - offering, the act of shark
finning is totally banned in US waters since 2000. The desire to protect sea life took this next
delicacy off a LOT of menus. #8. Chilean Sea Bass It may be an ugly fish, but all it takes is
a little rebranding to make a seafood superstar. Originally called the Patagonian Toothfish,
this meaty fish was renamed the Chilean Sea Bass to make it more appetizing - and it worked
a little too well. The mass increase of fishing due to demand
rapidly depleted the fish in the wild, and so the FDA stepped in. While it’s not entirely illegal to catch
this fish now, it’s strictly regulated and only certified boats are allowed to catch
the fish in specific numbers. But no animal welfare ban has been more controversial
than this next one. #7. Foie Gras Almost as prized as Beluga caviar, this meaty
treat is made from the livers of geese that are heavily fattened, giving the liver an
extremely rich and creamy taste. The controversy comes in how the fattening
is achieved - using a type of force-feeding called gavage that involves funnels down the
geese’s throats. While defenders say geese lack a gag reflex
and it doesn’t harm them, animal rights activists say the process is cruelty to animals
and point to the reaction of the birds. That has led California to ban the sale of
the product, with multiple cities including Chicago and New York City following suit. While a national ban isn’t in the works
yet, the activists continue to make the case. But some of the next banned foods in the United
States might shock you. #6. Bushmeat This isn’t so much a specific food as a
class of foods. It’s common among trophy hunters to go to
Africa and hunt large animals including Giraffes and Lions - usually as part of a legal hunting
program supervised by local guides. While these thrill-seekers might be able to
display their trophies on social media - to many jeers from animal-lovers back home - they
won’t be able to bring their catch back home. Meat from African game hunts - named bushmeat
by US authorities - is strictly prohibited due to safety concerns, and customs agents
will destroy any they find along with any items that might have come into contact with
it. Some banned foods in the US can pack a deadly
punch in a small package. #5. Laetrile Have you ever eaten an Apricot pit? It probably had a slightly nutty, bitter taste
that tasted a little like a weird almond. But eating apricot pits is strongly discouraged
because they contain a deadly compound - cyanide. This poison can be toxic or even fatal in
large amounts, which makes it all the more shocking that some doctors were marketing
it as a cancer treatment. Laetrile, also known as Vitamin B17, is a
controversial supplement processed from apricot pits and was touted by new-age pseudomedical
activists as a cancer cure. Banned in the US since 1980, it has been responsible
for poisonings and may have been involved in hastening the death of famous actor Steve
McQueen. But food or drink being poisonous hasn’t
always stopped its fans. #4. Absinthe There are plenty of potent spirits out there,
but few deliver the kick that this bright green alcohol can. A green potion should be a giveaway that danger
lies ahead, as any fairy tale fans will tell you, but absinthe has a pleasant - if intense
- flavor of anise. The danger - and for some, appeal - comes
from the wormwood used to make it. This wood contains the chemical compound thujone,
which can be toxic in large amounts. While the legends of absinthe being a powerful
psychoactive spirit that drove people to insanity may have been exaggerated, it was still banned
in the US until 2007, when its import was allowed as long as the thujone was below a
certain level. But these last three entries may just make
you lose your appetite. #3. Haggis A meaty pudding, this Scottish classic has
shocked many people with its ingredients. It’s a sausage made from onion, oatmeal,
suet - and a collection of sheep’s organs including the heart, liver, and lungs, ground
up and encased in a sheep’s stomach before cooking. While it’s one of the most divisive culinary
delights out there, most of the ingredients are harmless - with one exception. Sheep’s lungs are banned from sale and import
in the United States because lung meat is considered a potential vector for respiratory
disease. But that hasn’t eliminated haggis from the
United States entirely - it’s still sold in a modified version made with ground lamb
and often liver and heart, with canned versions available. But if you ask Scottish expats, it’s just
not the same. The penultimate entry is a shockingly primal
culinary delight from France. #2. Ortolan A tiny songbird no larger than a thumb, this
one-ounce bird became one of the most notorious French luxury meals. The birds would be kept in covered cages,
allowed to overfeed on grain so they would become fat, and would then be drowned in armagnac
and roasted. The diner would eat the bird whole, feet-first,
and spit out the bones. But the tastes of the wealthy caused the population
to decline, and eventually France and the EU banned the sale and import of this tiny
bird. The US soon followed, which means this favorite
snack of royalty has mostly faded into history - and the Ortolan Bunting’s population has
rebounded. But the #1 food on this list will shock you
- because it’s the only banned food that might fight back. #1. Casu Martzu Everyone knows a good cheese needs a little
funk - unless you’re a Kraft singles loyalist. But Casu Martzu cheese from Sardinia takes
this process to the extreme. Nicknamed the rotten cheese, it’s a Pecorino
cheese made from unpasteurized sheep’s milk. But it has a secret ingredient - fly larvae. It is deliberately seeded with the larvae,
which turn into maggots and begin to eat through the cheese, making it softer and supposedly
increasing fermentation. When it’s ready, the cheese is served with
the live, wriggling maggots still in it - and eaters frequently wear goggles because the
bugs will leap out of the cheese at the face of the diner. While it’s a beloved tradition in Sardinia,
it’s not surprising that it’s been banned in the United States for health reasons. Some food scientists even say it’s possible
for the larva to survive digestion and create a parasitic infestation in the intestine. Maybe those Kraft singles are sounding better
after all. For more shocking food secrets, check out
“Can You Believe the Military Eats This Stuff? (Military Food)” or watch “American Food
the Rest of the World Finds Weird” for the other side of the story.
