25 Sketchy Foods That Are Totally Illegal in the U.S.

Think the U.S. has access to just about any food? Think again. If you do happen to come across any of these foods lurking in a grocery store’s aisle, now you’ll know that that store is truly playing with fire. Here’s the list of foods that have been banned, whether it’s because of health concerns, animal safety or something else.

1. Mangosteen

While the ban on the tropical fruit mangosteen was lifted in 2007, this fruit was on the no-go list in the U.S. because it often carried a fruit fly that could decimate crops. Now mangosteen arriving from other countries either need a permit or they need to be irradiated to remove the fruit fly eggs.

2. Unpasteurized Milk

Here’s a food that is slowly becoming legal; until recently, raw (or unpasteurized) milk was banned in all states. Today, it’s legal in more than 20 states, though there are still concerns about food-borne illnesses tied to raw milk.

3. Miracle Fruit

Miracle fruit is a berry that enhances the sweetness of acidic foods. While products containing miracle fruit are available in the U.S., the fruit is not.

4. Absinthe

Known for its hallucinogenic effect, absinthe is a bright green spirit that’s been banned in America since 1912. However, these days, absinthe that does not contain the psychoactive component thujone is legal.

5. Haggis

If you’ve visited Scotland, you may have tried haggis, but don’t plan to take it home with you. It contains sheep lung, which the USDA has banned due to health concerns.

6. Ackee

This Jamaican fruit is illegal in the U.S. because it can cause extremely low blood sugar, liver damage and even death.

7. Sassafras Oil

This oil that comes from the dried bark of the sassafras tree is banned in the U.S. because it has been found to be carcinogenic.

8. Puffer Fish

They may be cute to look at, but these Japanese fish can be deadly if handled incorrectly. Puffer fish can be sold in the U.S., but only by those with a license.

9. Horse Meat

Though it’s popular in other countries like Italy, horse meat is illegal in America. Why? The meat requires inspection, and there simply isn’t the resources to dedicate to inspecting horse meat.

10. Redfish

Blame it on New Orleans. In the 1980s, this fish got so popular that it became endangered, and now it’s outlawed in every state except Mississippi.

11. Whale Meat

Though it’s never been popular in this part of the world like it is in countries like Japan and Norway, whale meat is forbidden in the U.S. Its populations are in danger of becoming extinct, so the hope is that a ban in some countries will restore the species.

12. Caviar

While it’s all the rage in Russia, don’t ask for caviar (at least from the Beluga Sturgeon) here in the States. It’s also banned because the fish is endangered.

13. Kinder Surprise Eggs

You might be “surprised” to hear that a child’s chocolate treat is on this list. Kinder Eggs contain a plastic toy inside, and that’s a no-no for the USDA, as it’s considered a safety hazard.

14. Shark Fins

A popular ingredient in the Chinese delicacy shark fin soup, shark fins are banned in the U.S. The practice is to remove the fin, then dump the still-alive, helpless shark back into the ocean, which doesn’t jibe with our do-good vibe.

15. Sea Turtle Meat

Once a delicacy around the world, now sea turtles are endangered. The U.S. does what it can to reinstate its population by protecting the animals and banning all meat or eggs.

16. Casu Marzu Cheese

While cheese infested with maggots might not sound like your cup of tea, it’s a popular treat on the Italian island of Sardinia. Maggots are used to change the texture and taste of the food. Still, the U.S. and European Union both have concerns about consuming food that may have remnants of maggots.

17. Queen Conch

A delicacy in Turks and Caicos, queen conch is banned from the U.S. because the mollusk is on the endangered species list.

18. Black Pudding

Like haggis, black pudding contains sheep lungs, which means it’s a no-no when it comes to crossing the pond from the U.K. to the U.S.

19. Mirabelle Plums

Though it’s not because of a safety concern, French Mirabelle plums are illegal only from regions and countries other than the Lorraine region of northwestern France, thanks to an agreement between France and America.

20. Bird’s Nest Soup

Swiftlets create their nests by spitting on the materials they use to glue them together. Somehow, they became delicacies in China, but you won’t find them in America. The concern is that they can transmit a type of avian flu.

21. Camembert

Camembert is one of a few types of French cheese that you can’t buy in the United States because it’s made from unpasteurized milk. However, there are American versions of camembert you can find that are made of pasteurized milk.

22. Ortolan

This tiny bird was once the height of fine dining in France, and as a result, it’s become nearly extinct. The U.S. doesn’t permit the sale or importation of ortolan.

23. Bushmeat

Apparently, eating animals like bats and primates is a thing in other countries, but here, it’s outlawed because of the risk of contracting Ebola and other diseases.

24. Powdered Alcohol

While it’s legal at the federal level, powdered alcohol is banned in many states, including Alaska, Louisiana, and Vermont.

25.Weight-Loss Supplements with Ephedra

In the early 2000s, people were thrilled with the weight loss that supplements containing ephedra showed. However, the FDA banned it in 2004 because it was found to cause heart attacks, strokes and even death.