5 Illegal Foods That Are Banned in the US

Food is essential to our day-to-day lives as it provides a variety of nutrients, including those necessary to our survival and the maintenance of our health. On the other hand, some foods include ingredients or chemicals that are hazardous to our health, leading some countries to outlaw the consumption of those foods. In this article, you will learn about several kinds of foods that you never knew were illegal in the United States.

1. Kinder Surprise Chocolate Eggs

(Photo : Unsplash/Tasha Kostyuk)

Kinder chocolate's lack of popularity in the United States is primarily because only some of its products are permitted. It is a fact that even European travelers are aware of. In particular, the American government has banned the use of porous Kinder Surprise eggs due to the presence of non-edible materials within. But the good news is that a new variety of Kinder eggs, sold under the brand name Kinder Joy, will likely be made accessible in the United States in 2018. Under FDA regulations, these also include a surprise toy; however, their packaging effectively segues the toy from the remainder of the confectionery by sealing both halves of the hollow egg.

2. Fugu

Fuga, a species of puffer fish native to Japan, is so challenging to prepare in the kitchen that chefs must get a license and undergo extensive training first. It is possible that if it is not prepared correctly, a lethal dose of tetrodotoxin will be produced, which has the potential to cause paralysis and asphyxiation.

3. Beluga Caviar

One of the most luxurious and expensive foods in the world is caviar, made from the sturgeon's eggs and has a slightly salty flavor. The caviar obtained from the Beluga sturgeon, found in the Caspian and Black seas, was considered among the most valuable. These fish's eggs are highly sought after for their delicate flavor, and one ounce can fetch as much as $200. Due to the high level of demand, the fish was quickly brought to the point of extinction.

Therefore, in 2005, the United States followed the lead of other countries and instituted a ban on importing beluga caviar in the hope of assisting the species in its efforts to recover and regenerate. While it is still in a state of critical endangerment, the species has managed to stay alive even though the illicit market is still in operation. Yet this is not the only delicacy from the ocean at risk.

4. Shark Fin Soup

Although many people have seen films depicting ferocious sharks, the danger we pose to them is considerably greater. Large sharks have gelatinous fins, considered a delicacy in China, and are used to season a popular soup dish there. The practice of shark finning, which consists of cutting off the sharks' fins and then releasing them back into the ocean, is becoming more widely regarded as cruel and has contributed to a decline in the shark population.

Even though shark finning has been completely outlawed in all oceans surrounding the United States since 2000, the sale of shark fins is still prohibited in only a dozen states, and shark fin soup remains a popular yet pricey offering. This next delicacy was taken off of a significant number of menus due to concerns over the welfare of marine life.

5. Unpasteurized Milk

According to the website of the FDA, unpasteurized milk, commonly known as raw milk, has not been subjected to the pasteurization process that kills bacteria. As a result, it carries a risk of causing foodborne illness that is one hundred fifty times higher than that of pasteurized dairy products. Accordingly, unpasteurized milk is forbidden in 21 states due to safety concerns, and others only allow small farm sales.