There are a multitude of foods that you can indulge yourself with all across the country. However, there are specific foods you thought were ordinary, but, in reality, are illegal in the US.
It's one thing to crave for these food items, but it's another thing to get caught or sued because of it. To ensure that you keep yourself away from trouble, here are some of the foods tagged as illegal in the US.
1. Unpasteurized Milk
While milk provides a wealth of nutrition benefits, unpasteurized milk, on the other hand, can contain dangerous microorganisms that can cause serious health risks to you.
According to the FDA, unpasteurized milk is milk from cows, sheep, and goats that have not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. This can carry dangerous bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Campylobacter, and others that cause foodborne illness. This is why the selling of unpasteurized milk is banned in 21 states for that safety concern.
2. Shark's Fin
Known as a delicacy in China, shark's fin is one odd food item that can get you in serious trouble. Eating may be legal in some states in the US, but according to National Geographic, the shark's fin trade has been banned since 2000.
The shark's fin ban intends to reduce shark finning instances, which involves slicing fins off live sharks and tossing the wounded animals overboard.
Read also: 10 Famous Foods With Unexpected Origins
3. Surprise Chocolate Eggs by Kinder
Kinder chocolates may be famous in Europe but not in America since not all of their products are available. One of which is the Surprise Chocolate Egg by Kinder. Reports say that these sweet treats were banned in the country because they contain inedible items inside.
4. Ackee
Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica, which is consumed when fully ripe and is used in various jams, drinks, and candies. However, when this fruit is in its early stages, it contains high levels of the toxin hypoglycin A.
This chemical disrupts blood glucose production and increases the risk of hypoglycemia. As a result, the importation of raw Ackee fruit has been banned by the FDA since 1973.
5. Horse Meat
Horses are considered majestic creatures and are well-loved by many. However, there are countries where there is a significant demand for its meat.
In the past, the US was known to supply horse meat to countries that demand it. However, importing horse meat and utilizing horse slaughterhouses are both illegal in the country at present.
6. Fugu
Famously known as the Japanese pufferfish, the Fugu is also referred to as bok, blowfish, and globefish. It is a Japanese delicacy carefully prepared by none other than the best sushi chefs. However, despite its popularity, Fugu is also highly toxic since its skin, liver, gonads, and intestines are full of a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin or saxitoxin, which is more dangerous than cyanide.
If not properly prepared and rid of its toxins, neurological symptoms can manifest between 20 minutes and 2 hours after consumption.
Symptoms include tingling of lips and mouth, followed by dizziness, tingling of arms and legs, muscle weakness, paralysis, and vomiting. Anyone who is poisoned with its neurotoxins may die of respiratory paralysis. All the more reason it is banned in America.
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