Horse meat is considered to be a taboo food in many countries, including the U.S., Ireland, Australia, Canada, and throughout various cultural groups around the world. The banning of horse meat goes back to the 8th century. Pope Zachary and Pope Gregory III both told Saint Boniface to forbid his missionaries to eat horse meat, as it had a strong correlation to the Germanic pagan rituals that the Christians were trying to eradicate. This Catholic Church stance on horse meat stands today, while others refuse to eat horse because it is seen as poor man’s meat or due to the fact that horses seem to be man’s other best friend. Both the U.S. and U.K. have banned the slaughter and consumption of horses, as they are seen as companions and labeled “sports animals.”
2. Japanese Puffer Fish (Fugu)
Why It’s Banned
Sometimes known as blowfish, Fugu in Asian countries, this fish is banned in many countries due to its internal organs and other body parts being highly poisonous. In fact, if you eat the wrong part of this fish, or unknowingly consume a poisonous part of the fish, you will more than likely die from tetrodotoxin, which is a neurotoxin that destroys your body’s nerve tissue, paralyzing the body and then causing asphyxiation. Though, if treated in a timely matter, you can survive the poison’s attack. In 1603-1868 the Tokugawa shogunate prohibited the consumption of Fugu, but this law died down as the shogunate’s power decreased. In the European Union, selling or consuming this fish is strictly prohibited. In the U.S., it is illegal to sell, harvest, or serve the fish without having a license to do so. This was enacted in 2002.
3. Redfish
Why It’s Banned
In the 1980s, a chef named Paul Prudhomme of New Orleans publicly shared his blackened redfish recipe, which was widely sought after in the area. His recipe became so popular that it seemed every household was making blackened redfish. Though it was a great success for Prudhomme, the stock of redfish was depleted, and in July 1986, the Department of Commerce banned the selling of the fish and shut down all fisheries in order to allow the fish to naturally rebuild their population. Today, there are still prohibitions and laws that concern the catching and handling of the redfish. For instance, in Florida and most other states, fisherman are only allowed to keep one redfish a day, and any others that are caught must be put back into the water safely. In 2002, President Bush signed an executive order that restricted the catch and sale of the redfish.
4. Sassafras
Why It’s Banned
In the past, sassafras was a widely used plant. It was often used by Indian tribes to treat common ailments, as well as a way to have some sort of aromatherapy. It is said that the herb could sure a cold, stomach ache, and other ailments. It was also used as a cure for syphilis. Before the 1960s, sassafras was used in many different foods, and even drinks. Sassafras tea was highly common, and the sassafras roots were made to create root beer. In the south, the herb was used in Creole soups and stews as a common seasoning. However, in the 1960s, the FDA banned all use of sassafras and any ingredient made out of it, most notably, safrole. It was banned due to the fact that it is possibly carcinogenic, as determined by lab rat experiments, which concluded that rats given sassafras often contracted liver cancer. Parts of sassafras are also used to make heroin.
5. Wild Beluga Caviar
Why It’s Banned
In 2005, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service put a ban on the import of Beluga caviar from the Caspian Sea. Much like the redfish listed later on, the Beluga sturgeon was becoming endangered and in order to protect the creature, a ban was implemented. In 2007 the ban was lifted with restrictions, allowing 96 tons of the caviar to be sold throughout the world. Today, spotting this caviar is still difficult: just like the Beluga sturgeon fish itself.
6. Absinthe
Why It’s Banned
In the 1800s, absinthe was gradually banned in many locations around the world. This was due to a large increase in violence and hallucinations, as well as mental illness. However, absinthe made its comeback during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is said that by 1905, there were over 40 distillers just on the Swiss border providing absinthe to France and Switzerland. Again in the 20th century, researchers looked at absinthe and considered it to be highly unsafe. Though many say it’s banned due to the 20th century’s temperance movement, scientists at the time stated that the drink contained thujone, which, even in the smallest quantities caused psychoactive ailments. In 1915, absinthe was banned in most European countries with the exception of a few. Today in the U.S., absinthe is distilled, but is only 75% proof and is usually diluted with water.
7. Raw Milk
Why It’s Banned
Before the Industrial Revolution, raw milk was an everyday commodity. This means that the milk was not pasteurized. People didn’t have the technology yet, plus many urban families owned their own dairy animals, such as goats and cows. New methods of processing milk such as pasteurization led to the banning of raw milk. Today, improved farming conditions and better testing mean raw milk is less risky, but it continues to be banned in 22 states as well as Canada.
8. Shark Fins
Why It’s Banned
Though still in the process of being banned world wide, the slicing of shark fins is now banned in Scottish waters, as well as UK waters. In Hawaii, the practice is banned entirely due to the fact that 60,000 sharks were found dead each year. The practice, often seen as barbaric, has been banned in countries because it is seen as cruel and brutal and many species of rare sharks are becoming endangered, or even extinct. Shark fins are often used in shark fin soup which is seen as a luxury meal in most Asian countries. These sharks are also finned in Mexico, U.S., and U.K. waters.
9. Foie Gras
Why It’s Banned
Foie gras is a delicacy made out of duck or goose liver. It is banned in Turkey, the European Union, and Israel due to a process called force-feeding. To make foie gras, birds are force-fed corn mash or some other type of food about 8 days before they are slaughtered in order to enlarge the liver and give it a fatty consistency. Many see this process as extremely cruel and harmful to the animal, as its body is not accustomed to eating so much food naturally in the wild. In 2005 foie gras was banned in Chicago, but the ban was lifted in 2008. Many states within the U.S. have attempted to have foie gras banned, but none have succeeded as of yet.
At first, the uncertified Chilean sea bass was banned by 24 nations, including the U.S. due to the fact that it was extremely popular in restaurants as well as in the home and many feared it would become endangered. The fish is known for having flaky white flesh and a high fat content, which makes it tasty. Today, the fish is banned in even more countries due to the fact that it has become over-fished.
Strange Food Which Is Banned In Some Countries
Why It’s Banned
Horse meat is considered to be a taboo food in many countries, including the U.S., Ireland, Australia, Canada, and throughout various cultural groups around the world. The banning of horse meat goes back to the 8th century. Pope Zachary and Pope Gregory III both told Saint Boniface to forbid his missionaries to eat horse meat, as it had a strong correlation to the Germanic pagan rituals that the Christians were trying to eradicate. This Catholic Church stance on horse meat stands today, while others refuse to eat horse because it is seen as poor man’s meat or due to the fact that horses seem to be man’s other best friend. Both the U.S. and U.K. have banned the slaughter and consumption of horses, as they are seen as companions and labeled “sports animals.”
2. Japanese Puffer Fish (Fugu)
Why It’s Banned
Sometimes known as blowfish, Fugu in Asian countries, this fish is banned in many countries due to its internal organs and other body parts being highly poisonous. In fact, if you eat the wrong part of this fish, or unknowingly consume a poisonous part of the fish, you will more than likely die from tetrodotoxin, which is a neurotoxin that destroys your body’s nerve tissue, paralyzing the body and then causing asphyxiation. Though, if treated in a timely matter, you can survive the poison’s attack. In 1603-1868 the Tokugawa shogunate prohibited the consumption of Fugu, but this law died down as the shogunate’s power decreased. In the European Union, selling or consuming this fish is strictly prohibited. In the U.S., it is illegal to sell, harvest, or serve the fish without having a license to do so. This was enacted in 2002.
3. Redfish
Why It’s Banned
In the 1980s, a chef named Paul Prudhomme of New Orleans publicly shared his blackened redfish recipe, which was widely sought after in the area. His recipe became so popular that it seemed every household was making blackened redfish. Though it was a great success for Prudhomme, the stock of redfish was depleted, and in July 1986, the Department of Commerce banned the selling of the fish and shut down all fisheries in order to allow the fish to naturally rebuild their population. Today, there are still prohibitions and laws that concern the catching and handling of the redfish. For instance, in Florida and most other states, fisherman are only allowed to keep one redfish a day, and any others that are caught must be put back into the water safely. In 2002, President Bush signed an executive order that restricted the catch and sale of the redfish.
4. Sassafras
Why It’s Banned
In the past, sassafras was a widely used plant. It was often used by Indian tribes to treat common ailments, as well as a way to have some sort of aromatherapy. It is said that the herb could sure a cold, stomach ache, and other ailments. It was also used as a cure for syphilis. Before the 1960s, sassafras was used in many different foods, and even drinks. Sassafras tea was highly common, and the sassafras roots were made to create root beer. In the south, the herb was used in Creole soups and stews as a common seasoning. However, in the 1960s, the FDA banned all use of sassafras and any ingredient made out of it, most notably, safrole. It was banned due to the fact that it is possibly carcinogenic, as determined by lab rat experiments, which concluded that rats given sassafras often contracted liver cancer. Parts of sassafras are also used to make heroin.
5. Wild Beluga Caviar
Why It’s Banned
In 2005, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service put a ban on the import of Beluga caviar from the Caspian Sea. Much like the redfish listed later on, the Beluga sturgeon was becoming endangered and in order to protect the creature, a ban was implemented. In 2007 the ban was lifted with restrictions, allowing 96 tons of the caviar to be sold throughout the world. Today, spotting this caviar is still difficult: just like the Beluga sturgeon fish itself.
6. Absinthe
Why It’s Banned
In the 1800s, absinthe was gradually banned in many locations around the world. This was due to a large increase in violence and hallucinations, as well as mental illness. However, absinthe made its comeback during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is said that by 1905, there were over 40 distillers just on the Swiss border providing absinthe to France and Switzerland. Again in the 20th century, researchers looked at absinthe and considered it to be highly unsafe. Though many say it’s banned due to the 20th century’s temperance movement, scientists at the time stated that the drink contained thujone, which, even in the smallest quantities caused psychoactive ailments. In 1915, absinthe was banned in most European countries with the exception of a few. Today in the U.S., absinthe is distilled, but is only 75% proof and is usually diluted with water.
7. Raw Milk
Why It’s Banned
Before the Industrial Revolution, raw milk was an everyday commodity. This means that the milk was not pasteurized. People didn’t have the technology yet, plus many urban families owned their own dairy animals, such as goats and cows. New methods of processing milk such as pasteurization led to the banning of raw milk. Today, improved farming conditions and better testing mean raw milk is less risky, but it continues to be banned in 22 states as well as Canada.
8. Shark Fins
Why It’s Banned
Though still in the process of being banned world wide, the slicing of shark fins is now banned in Scottish waters, as well as UK waters. In Hawaii, the practice is banned entirely due to the fact that 60,000 sharks were found dead each year. The practice, often seen as barbaric, has been banned in countries because it is seen as cruel and brutal and many species of rare sharks are becoming endangered, or even extinct. Shark fins are often used in shark fin soup which is seen as a luxury meal in most Asian countries. These sharks are also finned in Mexico, U.S., and U.K. waters.
9. Foie Gras
Why It’s Banned
Foie gras is a delicacy made out of duck or goose liver. It is banned in Turkey, the European Union, and Israel due to a process called force-feeding. To make foie gras, birds are force-fed corn mash or some other type of food about 8 days before they are slaughtered in order to enlarge the liver and give it a fatty consistency. Many see this process as extremely cruel and harmful to the animal, as its body is not accustomed to eating so much food naturally in the wild. In 2005 foie gras was banned in Chicago, but the ban was lifted in 2008. Many states within the U.S. have attempted to have foie gras banned, but none have succeeded as of yet.
10. Uncertified Chilean Sea Bass (Patagonian Toothfish)
Why It’s Banned
At first, the uncertified Chilean sea bass was banned by 24 nations, including the U.S. due to the fact that it was extremely popular in restaurants as well as in the home and many feared it would become endangered. The fish is known for having flaky white flesh and a high fat content, which makes it tasty. Today, the fish is banned in even more countries due to the fact that it has become over-fished.
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