15 Foods That Were Once Outlawed for Bizarre Reasons
This post may contain affiliate links that earn me a small commission, at no cost to you.
Throughout history, food has been more than just sustenance; it has been a subject of cultural, political, and even legal controversy. While we may take for granted the diverse array of foods available to us today, many common items we enjoy were once prohibited for reasons that now seem strange or even absurd. These bans reflect the complex interplay of cultural beliefs, scientific misunderstandings, economic interests, and political maneuvering that have shaped our relationship with food over time.
This list of 15 foods that were once outlawed for bizarre reasons offers a fascinating glimpse into the peculiar history of food regulation. From innocent vegetables to beloved beverages, these items faced bans that ranged from the comical to the concerning.
Margarine
Margarine was once outlawed in several U.S. states due to pressure from the dairy industry. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, dairy farmers feared competition from this butter substitute and lobbied for restrictions. Wisconsin, known as “America’s Dairyland,” had particularly strict laws, banning margarine from 1895 to 1967. Some states even required margarine to be dyed pink or black to make it less appealing to consumers.
Potatoes
When potatoes were first introduced to Europe in the 16th century, they were met with suspicion and even outright bans. In 1748, Frederick the Great of Prussia ordered his subjects to grow and eat potatoes, but many resisted, believing them to be poisonous or even capable of causing leprosy. Some religious groups argued that potatoes were not mentioned in the Bible and therefore shouldn’t be eaten. It took years of promotion and even royal decrees to make potatoes an accepted food in many European countries.
Absinthe
This green-hued spirit was banned in many countries in the early 20th century due to its alleged hallucinogenic properties and association with bohemian excess. The chemical thujone, found in wormwood (a key ingredient in absinthe), was believed to cause hallucinations and madness. However, modern research has shown that absinthe contains only trace amounts of thujone, not enough to cause the effects once attributed to it. The ban was largely based on moral panic and misinformation, coupled with pressure from the wine industry, which saw absinthe as competition.
Chocolate
In the 16th century, some religious authorities in Mexico banned chocolate, believing it to be an intoxicant that inflamed passions. They were particularly concerned about its consumption in churches, where some worshippers were drinking chocolate during services. The ban was short-lived, as chocolate’s popularity proved too strong to suppress. Interestingly, this early opposition to chocolate foreshadowed later debates about its effects on health and morality.
Tomatoes
When tomatoes were first introduced to Europe from the Americas, they were widely believed to be poisonous. This misconception arose partly because tomatoes are part of the nightshade family, which includes some toxic plants. In wealthy households, acidic tomatoes were known to leach lead from pewter plates, causing lead poisoning, which further cemented their dangerous reputation. It wasn’t until the late 18th century that tomatoes began to be widely accepted as safe and delicious in Europe and North America.
Sassafras
Sassafras root was once a popular flavoring for root beer and traditional medicines. However, it was banned by the FDA in 1960 due to the discovery that safrole, a compound found in sassafras oil, could cause liver damage and cancer in high doses. This ban led to the reformulation of root beer and other products that traditionally used sassafras. Today, sassafras extracts that have had the safrole removed are considered safe and are still used in some food products.
Horse Meat
While horse meat is consumed in many parts of the world, it has been banned for human consumption in the United States since 2007. This ban was not due to health concerns, but rather to cultural and emotional attachments to horses. The prohibition came about through a combination of animal welfare concerns and the efforts of horse enthusiasts who view horses as companion animals rather than livestock. Interestingly, the U.S. had previously been a major exporter of horse meat to Europe and Japan.
Haggis
Scotland’s national dish, haggis, has been banned in the United States since 1971. The ban specifically targets sheep lung, a key ingredient in traditional haggis. The USDA prohibits the consumption of livestock lungs, arguing that they may contain fluid from the animal’s stomach or phlegm from the windpipe. This ban has led to the creation of American versions of haggis that omit the lung, much to the chagrin of Scottish purists who argue that it’s not true haggis without this ingredient.
Fugu (Pufferfish)
Fugu, or pufferfish, is strictly regulated in Japan and banned in many other countries due to its potentially lethal toxins. In Japan, chefs must undergo years of training and obtain a special license to prepare fugu. The fish contains tetrodotoxin, a neurotoxin far more potent than cyanide, and improper preparation can be fatal. Despite the danger, or perhaps because of it, fugu remains a delicacy in Japan, with its consumption sometimes viewed as a culinary adventure.
Kinder Surprise Eggs
These chocolate eggs containing small toys were banned in the United States from 1938 to 2017 due to a law prohibiting non-nutritive objects embedded in confections. The ban was based on the potential choking hazard posed by the small toys. Interestingly, the ban led to the creation of “Kinder Joy,” a modified version that separates the toy from the chocolate, which was approved for sale in the U.S. The original Kinder Surprise remains prohibited, making it one of the few foods that’s illegal to import into the U.S. for personal consumption.
Foie Gras
This French delicacy, made from the liver of a duck or goose that has been specially fattened, has been banned in several places due to animal welfare concerns. The production of foie gras often involves force-feeding birds, a practice critics argue is cruel. California banned the production and sale of foie gras in 2012, though the ban has faced legal challenges. Several countries, including India and the UK, have also prohibited its production, reflecting changing attitudes towards animal welfare in food production.
Unpasteurized Milk
Raw milk has been banned or strictly regulated in many countries, including the United States, due to concerns about bacterial contamination. The sale of unpasteurized milk for human consumption is illegal in many U.S. states. Proponents of raw milk argue that pasteurization destroys beneficial bacteria and enzymes, while opponents point to the risk of foodborne illnesses. This controversy has led to creative workarounds in some areas, such as “cow-share” programs where consumers technically own part of a cow to access raw milk.
Ortolan
This tiny songbird, traditionally eaten whole in French cuisine, has been banned in France since 1999 due to concerns about cruelty and conservation. The traditional preparation involves capturing the bird, force-feeding it, then drowning it in Armagnac before cooking. Diners typically eat the bird whole, bones and all, while covering their heads with a napkin – supposedly to hide the act from God. Despite the ban, illegal consumption continues, highlighting the tension between culinary tradition and modern ethical concerns.
Mirabelles
These small, sweet plums are a point of pride in the Lorraine region of France, but for many years, they were effectively banned in the United States. This wasn’t due to any inherent danger in the fruit, but because of strict import regulations and the difficulty of transporting the delicate plums. The ban was more of a de facto prohibition due to trade restrictions rather than an outright legal ban. In recent years, some U.S. growers have started cultivating mirabelles, making them more accessible to American consumers.
Samosas
In 2012, the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab briefly banned samosas in territories under their control. The stated reason was that the triangular shape of the pastry was reminiscent of the Christian Holy Trinity and therefore un-Islamic. This bizarre and short-lived ban highlighted the extreme measures taken by some groups to control every aspect of daily life, even extending to the shape of food. The ban was widely mocked and quickly rescinded, demonstrating the often arbitrary nature of such prohibitions.
13 Household Items You Need to Throw Out Immediately
13 Household Items You Need to Throw Out Immediately
