Foods outlawed in the US

We offer you a far from complete list of exotic and not very food products that, for various reasons, have been banned in the United States.

1. Puffer fish

Cooking and selling this fish without a license is illegal in the States. In the countries of the European Union, the sale of fugu is also strictly prohibited. And all because the scales and internal organs of the fugu are very poisonous and contain tetrodotoxin, a neuroparalytic poison that causes asphyxia. In Japan, the ban on fugu has long been lifted - dishes from this fish are considered a delicacy and are sold in local restaurants.

2. Aki

Due to its poisonous nature, this pear-shaped fruit, called ackee, is banned from cultivation and import into the United States. Considered the national fruit of Jamaica, ackee contains the poison hypoglycine, which can lead to poisoning, coma, and even death.

3. Absinthe

Absinthe in the United States was banned in the early 20th century, and in 1997 the drink was allowed to be imported into the country under the strict control of the Food Safety Authority. And the reason for this is the herb wormwood, from which absinthe is obtained. It contains the substance thujone, which is considered a strong hallucinogen and is addictive.

4. Unpasteurized milk

More than 20 states in America have banned the sale of raw milk. Some states allow the sale of raw milk supplied from private farms in small quantities. Unpasteurized milk was a daily staple until the early 19th century, when pasteurization technologies began to be introduced into agriculture to make milk safer. Laws banning the consumption of raw milk are intended to protect consumers from harmful germs and bacteria. However, advocates of unpasteurized milk argue that the sanitary standards applied in agriculture make it possible to obtain milk that is absolutely safe for health.

5. Pig's blood cake

It is a Taiwanese delicacy consisting of rice and pig's blood on a stick. And although the American hot dog is hardly a healthier food than this dish, the pork blood cake is still banned in the United States, because. considered unsanitary.

6. Foie gras

A delicacy made from duck or goose liver was banned in Chicago from 2006 to 2008 because members of the City Council considered the procedure for force-feeding animals inhumane. 8 days before slaughter, a huge amount of corn puree is introduced into the goose, which causes the liver to increase 10 times. In 2012, a ban on forced feeding of animals was introduced in California.

7. Haggis

Haggis was banned in America due to the fact that one of its ingredients is sheep's lungs. The heart, liver and mutton stomach, also included in the dish, were considered suitable for eating by the US authorities.

8. Braid marzu

This is a traditional cheese from Sardinia, which is made from another cheese - pecorino. It is kept longer than the usual stage of fermentation, bringing it to a state of decay caused by the digestive activity of cheese fly larvae. The larvae speed up the process of fat breakdown, which makes the cheese soft. Those wishing to taste marzu spit are recommended to protect their eyes while eating, because. larvae are able to jump up to 15 centimeters. Some prefer to remove the larvae before eating, while others eat the cheese along with them.

9. Garden oatmeal

In European countries, this bird is protected by law. It is a crime to smuggle oatmeal into the US. In France, gourmets have long appreciated the excellent taste of this bird, which is why the number of buntings has sharply decreased, and their shooting has become illegal. Birds were usually captured, their eyes gouged out, then placed in a cage where, like ducks for foie gras, they were force-fed to enormous sizes. Then the bird was drowned in cognac, fried and eaten whole.

10 Sea Bass

The sale of perch for profit is prohibited in all states of America except Mississippi. The US Department of Commerce banned perch fishing in 1986 to increase its population, which had drastically declined due to the craze for bass dishes.

11. Shark Fins

Shark fin fishing is banned in the States. a mutilated animal, thrown back into the ocean, cannot move and hunt effectively, so it suddenly dies. Shark fin dishes are considered a luxury and can be consumed legally.

12. Horsemeat

In most states, it is theoretically possible to taste horse meat, but killing horses for food is prohibited. At the same time, some slaughterhouses in America export horse meat to other countries. In June 2010, the US Congress voted to extend the Wild Nomadic Horse and Donkey Protection Act, which prohibits the slaughter of these animals.