10 Banned Foods in the U.S.

From federal bans to state-by-state exclusions, here's what's not OK

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Federal Ban on Mirabelle Plums

Strict U.S. import laws are the reason you can't get Mirabelle plums in the States. They're only grown in the Lorraine region of France.

 

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Margarine Ban in 'The Dairy State'

In Wisconsin, it's illegal to serve margarine in state institutions like schools, prisons and hospitals. Being that the state is a major producer of dairy products, it makes economic sense to push real butter.

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Federal Ban on Kinder Egg Surprise

A 1938 Food and Drug Act prohibiting the distribution of food items "containing imbedded, non-nutritive objects" is why Kinder Egg Surprise is still illegal in the U.S. The toys that come inside Europe's (and the world's) favorite chocolate egg remains banned because it poses a choking risk to children. But a knock-off brand with an all-ages toy inside has been able to navigate the U.S. legal system and is hitting American shelves this Easter

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No (Shark Fin) Soup for You in Some States

The sale or possession of shark fins is banned in nine states: Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, California, Illinois, Maryland, Delaware, New York and Massachusetts. Similar bills have been introduced in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and Nebraska. Such measures are meant to conserve shark populations.

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Federal Ban on Haggis

There has been an American import ban on traditional Scottish haggis since 1971. The reason is that the U.S. prohibits foods containing sheep lungs, a key ingredient in the massive sausage that also features sheep liver and heart, and various spices, packed into a sheep's stomach and boiled.

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Fast-Food Ban in Some Communities

In late 2010, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that would ban new fast-food restaurants from opening in South Los Angeles. While many cities adhere to an outright fast-food–restaurant ban for aesthetic reasons, the South L.A. decision was part of an effort to combat the area's high obesity and poverty rates, the latter reportedly being an impetus for residents to seek out fatty, low-cost fast food in the first place.

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Junk Food Ban in Many Schools

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has banned the sale of junk food and unhealthy beverages in schools or during school-sponsored events like bake sales and fundraisers. The ban went into effect July 1, 2014.

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Don't Drink Blood in Louisiana

Louisiana doesn't take kindly to people drinking blood, be it from a human or an animal. The state files this ban under its "Ritualistic Acts" legislation. The act was passed in 1989.

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Sale of Raw Milk Prohibited in Some States

Unpasteurized milk, aka raw milk, can come from cows, sheep or goats. As it has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria, this product may contain salmonella, E. coli or listeria. Its sale is fully prohibited in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Montana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

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Tailgating Gone Healthy

Schools Take a Swipe at Peanut Butter

With an increase in reported peanut allergies in recent times, one of America's favorite sandwich ingredients—peanut butter—is not allowed at various schools or school districts across the country.