20+ Foods That Are Now Banned From The Public

Banned in: New Zealand & parts of the U.K.
Reason: Potential Bacteria
Est. Global Sales: $6 billion in Burger King sales for 2020*

A true beef connoisseur would tell you that the only way to enjoy a burger or steak is to have it “walk off the plate.” Many people believe that “the bloodier the better,” yet genuine carnivores will be unable to get their fix when visiting New Zealand or areas of the United Kingdom. Cooking beef any rarer than medium-rare is prohibited in some countries due to the possibly high amounts of bacteria found in the meat. If a rare steak is required, one can easily get meat from a butcher and make their dinner at home.

Banned in: Venice
Reason: Bad For Cultural Image
Est. Global Sales: $2 billion per year for German Doner Kebab, a major producer

Having a diverse selection of meals from throughout the world has helped many cities secure their positions in the food industry. After all, the food scene is one of the factors that contribute to a city’s flavor. Kebabs are a popular late-night snack in other European towns, but not in Venice. Kebabs are inexpensive, simple to prepare, and, to be honest, it doesn’t matter what the meat actually tastes like provided enough sauce is applied. Kebabs were banned in Venice for this precise reason. It is considered that the city’s reputation is harmed by low-quality fast food.

Banned in: Singapore
Reason: Cleanliness
Est. Global Sales: $105 billion per year*

Many people use chewing gum to assist improve the smell of their breath before an important meeting or date. There are some countries in the world, one in particular, where anyone trying to get rid of morning breath quickly would be better off using a mint or mouthwash. Chewing gum was outlawed in Singapore in 1992 to help clean up the streets. There are few exceptions that allow persons to chew in public, but documentation of a medical prescription is required. Without the correct documents, you might face up to two years in prison or a $100,000 fine.

Banned in: The United Kingdom & Canada
Reason: Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Est. Global Sales: $555.9 billion per year for global chips market*

Fat-free chips were developed to provide an alternative to the greasy, fatty, tasty, salt-covered treats that so many people find difficult to say “no” to. A fat-free option seems appealing, but nothing worthwhile comes cheap. The governments of Canada and the United Kingdom are unwilling to pay that price. Olestra (Olean) is a key ingredient in fat-free potato chips. It contains no fat, cholesterol, or calories, yet it causes stomach cramps, gas, and diarrhea in frequent users. Before going to great lengths to smuggle some of these fat-free goodies across the border, consider whether the risk is truly worth the gain.

Banned in: Norway, Austria, and the European Union
Reason: Harmful Coloring Agents
Est. Global Sales: $4.5 billion per year for Kraft*

Mac and Cheese is a popular lunch option for youngsters in North America. Not the homemade oven-baked sort, but the boxed variety with a packet of cheese powder and instructions on how to properly prepare the meal on the back. It’s a simple, low-ingredient dish that kids (outside of France) love with ketchup. Boxed Mac and Cheese is prohibited in the European Union, Austria, and Norway due to a coloring ingredient used in its production that has been shown to be detrimental to children. In order to maintain European sales, Kraft Heinz Co recently removed Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 from its European Mac & Cheese.

Banned in: Austria, Singapore, and the U.K.
Reason: Contains Azodicarbonamide
Est. Global Sales: $15.1 billion per year*

In recent years, it has become more normal to keep a bag of frozen french fries in your home freezer. The fries are simple to store and have a seemingly endless shelf life, which can be ascribed to the azodicarbonamide found in some kinds of fries. Some people are concerned that azodicarbonamide would cause issues for asthmatics. As a result, the chemical substance and any meals containing it are prohibited in Austria, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

Banned in: United States
Reason: Choking Hazard
Est. Global Sales: $5.9 billion per year*

In 2018, an incident occurred in the United States that would forever alter the lives of an entire generation of American children. A legislation as unfair has not been altered since prohibition was repealed in 1933. The event, of course, was the legalization of Kinder Joy eggs in the United States. It had been 50 years since the ban on Ferrero chocolate eggs was implemented. The FDA imposed the restriction after determining that the toys contained in the eggs posed a choking hazard to youngsters. The more popular Kinder Surprise eggs are still forbidden in the United States because they are seen to be too dangerous.

Banned in: The United States
Reason: Fermentation Process
Est. Global Sales: $2-$4 million per year*

Casu marzu fermentation softens the inside of hard pecorino cheese into an almost creamy feel. However, the fermentation process that provides the cheese its greatest attributes is also the reason why it is forbidden in America. Fly larvae are introduced in the cheese before fermentation to transform the inside into that lovely creamy texture. The larvae secrete a liquid that aids in the breakdown of the cheese and gives it its “appeal.” The United States and a few other countries concluded that eating maggot cheese was not in their citizens’ best interests.

Banned in: Singapore
Reason: The Smell
Est. Global Sales: $17.6 billion per year*

Durian fruit is found on the majority of Southeast Asian islands. The fruit is claimed to have a creamy texture like cheesecake but a sweet custard flavor. Some durian fruit can be bitter, but that is no reason for it to be banned in Singapore. Is it? No, it does not. The taste of durian has nothing to do with why it is prohibited. Most people, on the other hand, find the smell disgusting. Singapore simply banned the consumption of stinky fruit in public in order to remedy the problem.

Banned in: California, Italy, India, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Israel, Australia, Germany, and many more
Reason: Animal Cruelty
Est. Global Sales: $1.44 billion by 2026*

In French cuisine, foie gras is well-known. It is produced from duck (or goose) liver and has a delicate flavor that is sought after by those with refined palates and deep pockets from all over the world. However, due to the way the dish is prepared, foie gras has been banned in a number of nations. To acquire the rich and buttery flavor of foie gras, the ducks are shackled and force-fed twice a day through a tube for nearly two weeks. It’s difficult not to agree with the many countries that have condemned and banned the product owing to its cruel nature.

Banned in: The U.K. & the U.S.
Reason: Meat Is Unfit For Human Consumption
Est. Global Sales: $360.6 million in 2020*

It was a simpler period in the past. People used to make their own butter and eat horse flesh on a regular basis. All of that changed, however, when modern medicine became involved, and eating horse meat became no longer the ‘in’ thing to do. Eating horse flesh has long been prohibited in the United States and the United Kingdom due to the medicines and pharmaceuticals that horses are given throughout their lives. The medical combination, according to the Smithsonian, “makes them unfit for our plates.”

Banned in: Somalia
Reason: Religious Beliefs
Est. Global Sales: $1.69 million per year in sales revenue for Sultan of Samosas, a major producer*

Samosas have been a staple of South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine for generations, but in recent years, one east African country has decided to boycott the pocket pastry. Contrary to many of the other items on this list, the rationale had nothing to do with the ingredients. Apparently, appearance is crucial in the case of a samosa. Somalia’s religious officials outlawed the triangular-shaped meal in 2011 because, as Muslims, they felt the three corners of the fried snack were too similar to Christianity’s symbol for the Holy Trinity.

Banned in: Over 100 Countries, including the U.S.A.
Reason: Contains BVO
Est. Global Sales: $3.73 billion by 2028 for the vegetable oil market*

Cooling off with a pleasantly lemony drink on a hot day is a long-standing custom; however, not all citrus-flavored drinks are safe to consume. In fact, some contain substances that are more harmful than beneficial. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) is commonly used in the preparation of citrus-flavored drinks. The BVO aids in carbonation and keeps the contents in the beverages from separating; nevertheless, it contains bromine, which has been linked to thyroid problems. As a result, the drinks are prohibited in over a hundred nations, including the United States.

Banned in: France
Reason: Nutritional Guidelines
Est. Global Sales: $7 billion per year for plant-based foods*

With the rise of veganism and vegetarianism over the last few decades, many schools throughout the world have adjusted their cafeteria menus to accommodate all pupils. This is a development that not all countries have been able to embrace, with one even making school eating more difficult for vegetarian pupils. In 2011, new dietary requirements that eliminated non-meat protein sources from school meals were imposed in cafeterias across France, effectively removing vegetarian students’ options for dining at their school’s canteen.

Banned in: Great Britain
Reason: Contains Erythrosine
Est. Global Sales: $227.4 billion by 2027 for the global confectionery market*

Sprinkles have a good influence on pastries, as any cake or doughnut aficionado can attest, but that’s nothing compared to the vital role sprinkles have on any well-constructed ice-cream sundae. It’s difficult to conceive that a popular topping like sprinkles could be outlawed in some nations. No, the United Kingdom did not outlaw all sprinkles, but it did outlaw those from the United States because they contain erythrosine, or FD&C Red No. 3. Erythrosine, which has been linked to hyperactivity in youngsters, has been banned for usage in meals in the United Kingdom, with cocktail cherries and decorative Easter eggs among the exceptions.

Banned in: United Kingdom, Canada, Peru, and Others
Reason: Contains Potassium Bromate
Est. Global Sales: $401.7 billion annually for total bread market*

Since before the days of “Leave It To Beaver,” good old American-made white bread has served as the foundation for grilled cheese and PB&J sandwiches in the United States. American bread makers used potassium bromate to help them produce enormous amounts of bread in the shortest and most cost-effective time feasible. The potassium bromate helps the dough rise higher, bake faster, and imparts a dazzling white hue to the bread. If anything sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A number of nations have prohibited potassium bromate due to its link to kidney and nervous system damage, as well as cancer.

Banned in: Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece, Luxembourg
Reason: Genetically Modified
Est. Global Sales: $127.81 billion per year*

As more individuals have turned to healthier and alternative diets in recent decades, the demand for soybean-based goods has skyrocketed. As a result, soybean farmers around the United States have decided to genetically modify their crops in order to improve the quantity of each harvest while shortening the growth process. Chemicals used to genetically modify soybeans have been banned in a number of nations, including roughly half of the European Union, due to their increased risk of cancer.

Banned in: Space
Reason: Lack Of Gravity
Est. Global Sales: $20 billion per year*

Many people have fantasized of experiencing the weightlessness of space, but nothing can entirely prepare you for all of the peculiarities of space travel. For example, most people are unaware that salt and pepper are prohibited in space due to their granular form and lack of gravity. Yes, the grains of salt and pepper could be hazardous to the electronic equipment, but before anyone thinks astronauts are forced to live in space without the luxury of eating flavorful food, they have been given liquid infused with salt and pepper instead to compensate for the ineffectiveness of the grains of salt and pepper.

Banned in: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, United Kingdom, and most of Europe
Reason: Contains BHT
Est. Global Sales: $1.92 billion per year for Post Cereal*

Browsing through the cereal section of a grocery store in the United States may not seem like a big deal to locals, but with products like Post Honey Maid S’mores breakfast cereal, visitors will have a hard time leaving, especially since they aren’t available in most other countries. S’mores cereal, like other American morning cereals, includes Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), which has been prohibited in many countries across the world because it is thought to be a cancer-causing chemical. If there was ever a reason to prefer campfire-made S’mores over the knock-off cereal version, this is it.

Banned in: Japan, Australia, European Union, United Kingdom
Reason: Contains BHA
Est. Global Sales: $4.37 billion per year*

If one were to boil and mash fresh potatoes for tonight’s dinner, the result would most likely be tastier than whatever came out of a box of instant mash; nevertheless, there is a lot to be said about convenience. When you’re hungry, convenience usually takes precedence over quality. However, convenience usually comes at a cost… Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a preservative found in almost everything, including rubber packaging, and is found in instant mashed potatoes. BHA is also a possible human carcinogen that has been banned in a number of nations worldwide, including all European Union members. Perhaps convenience isn’t always preferable.

Banned in: Russia, China, European Union, and Others
Reason: Contains Ractopamine
Est. Global Sales: $7.7 billion*

Swine in America have a tendency to grow very huge very quickly due to a combination of chemicals that have been poured into them. Because of these compounds, or at least one of them, approximately 50% of pork produced in the United States is prohibited from being sold in more than 150 countries. Ractopamine is used to enhance leanness in animals, however as with any medicine intended for animals, there will be negative effects when used by humans. Changes in behavior, hyperactivity, higher than usual heart rates, and a range of other cardiovascular problems are among the adverse effects connected with why ractopamine has been banned in so many nations.

Banned in: Norway & Sweden
Reason: Contains Yellow 5 & Yellow 6
Est. Global Sales: $183 million per year*

People have been “tasting the rainbow” for decades all throughout the world. Skittles has released a lot of flavors throughout the years, each linked with its own distinct hue; however, not all of these colors have been well welcomed. Skittles have really been prohibited in a handful of Nordic nations due to the poisonous nature of a few of them. The artificial colors, yellow 5 and yellow 6, found in Skittles, are thought to trigger allergic reactions and hyperactivity in those who ingest them. They have been prohibited in Norway and Sweden. Instead of outlawing the sweets, some governments have substituted the yellow 5 and 6 with naturally occurring hues found in daily foods.

Banned in: United Arab Emirates
Reason: Reduce Obesity in Schools
Est. Global Sales: $2.8 billion per year*

Following the findings of a 2014 study that approximately 14% of pupils in Abu Dhabi are overweight, the UAE government took measures to minimize and prevent juvenile obesity by prohibiting the sale of certain meals in school cafeterias. To encourage healthier eating habits, they restricted foods heavy in saturated fat, sugar, sodium, and artificial tastes. One of the most affected industries was processed meat, specifically hotdogs. Hotdogs are heavy in saturated fat and sodium, and they rarely include meat or other nutritional components. They were completely prohibited in cafeterias, along with sweets, soda, and potato chips, for this purpose.

Banned in: Norway & Austria
Reason: Contains Yellow 5 and Red 40
Est. Global Sales: $500 million per year for Little Debbie*

Little Debbie’s is a popular dessert brand in the United States, however the ingredients in its Little Debbie Swiss Rolls have drawn a lot of controversy. Yellow 5 and Red 40, two food colorings previously related to behavioral difficulties in children, are present in this product. In animal studies, they were found to increase the likelihood of birth abnormalities, organ failure, and the development of some cancers. While these dyes are still legal in the EU, items must now bear a label warning. As a result, consumers are aware of the potential health concerns. In Norway and Austria, this product is completely prohibited.

Banned in: United Kingdom, Japan, Several European Countries
Reason: Contains BHA & BHT
Est. Global Sales: $24.98 billion per year for Kraft*

Kraft is well-known for its signature mac ‘n’ cheese, which is popular throughout the United States, yet their Stove Top Stuffing is absolutely outlawed in Japan and many European nations. This product contains BHA and BHT, both of which function as antioxidants and preservatives in processed foods. According to research, these substances may be carcinogenic and may inhibit required blood coagulation. Because of the potential hazards associated with these substances, they have been prohibited in a number of nations other than the United States. They’re also widely used to extend the shelf life of foods like breakfast cereal after the container has been opened.

Banned in: Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark
Reason: Contains Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil
Est. Global Sales: $485.6 million per year*

Ritz Crackers, a popular snack in the United States, have been unable to penetrate food markets in some European nations due to the use of partly hydrogenated cottonseed oil. Cottonseed oil has long been a source of contention in the worlds of food and cosmetic safety. However, studies reveal that it may have some health benefits; however, they are outweighed by the hazards connected with it. Cottonseed oil includes gossypol, a toxin found in nature that has been related to infertility and liver damage. Cottonseed oil is a popular insecticide when left unprocessed. However, even refined cottonseed oil has hazards since it includes significant levels of saturated fat, which increases the risk of heart disease.

Banned in: United Kingdom, Japan, and parts of Europe
Reason: Contains BHT
Est. Global Sales: $346.6 million per year*

Wheat Thins contain BHT, a preservative commonly used in dry foods such as potato chips and cereals, primarily products that come in air-tight packaging with nitrogen gas to maintain freshness and extend shelf life. The nitrogen gas, however, escapes once the packaging is opened, and it is left to the consumer to maintain the goods fresh and safe to eat. BHT extends the shelf life of many processed goods. However, it has also been linked to a number of health hazards. Large doses can cause skin and lung irritation, as well as an increase in the risk of infertility and cancer. The American FDA now approves foods containing BHT due to a lack of data supporting these claims.

Banned in: USA
Reason: Risk of Harmful Bacteria
Est. Global Sales: $95.2 billion in sales per year for the global cheese market*

With the rise in popularity of charcuterie boards over the last year, unpasteurized cheese consumption has increased significantly, particularly in Europe. However, long-standing reservations in the United States about these specific cheeses have kept Americans on the sidelines of this trend. Despite several studies debunking the claims, it is thought that unpasteurized cheese can make the typical person extremely unwell. While this is true for pregnant women and anyone who have lactose sensitivity, there is no evidence that unpasteurized cheese can do this. All milk, whether pasteurized or not, is treated with friendly bacteria that eliminate any pathogens found in the milk. This keeps it from infecting humans and surviving the cheese-making process.

Banned in: Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark
Reason: Contains Partially Hydrogenated Soybean & Cottonseed Oil
Est. Global Sales: $18.127 billion per year for General Mills*

Boxed baking mixes are popular with young families who want to spend time in the kitchen without the hassle and price of traditional baking. However, a recent trans fat restriction in Europe and the United States has targeted several of these items, including the Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix. Cottonseed oil and partly hydrogenated soybean oil are both present in this product. Cottonseed oil is heavy in saturated fat, and partly hydrogenated soybean oil has been shown to significantly elevate cholesterol levels. In excessive quantities, they can be exceedingly hazardous to the human body when combined.

Banned in: Greece
Reason: Ruled as a Violation of Animal Welfare Acts
Est. Global Sales: $2.6 trillion per year for halal foods in total*

Halal meat is a source of dispute in many nations, as many people believe this technique of meat preparation to be unethical. Halal slaughtering entails murdering animals without first stunning them, as is typical practice in non-halal abattoirs. This is comparable to Kosher meat, albeit there are some variances, such as which parts of the animals cannot be consumed. Greece prohibited Halal and Kosher slaughter because their government concluded it violated Animal Welfare Acts because the animals are conscious when slaughtered. This drew some criticism, given Greece still allows some contentious foods, such as foie gras.

Banned in: 38 Countries
Reason: Environmental & Health Concerns
Est. Global Sales: $18.15 billion per year for GMO crops in the U.S.*

GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are lab-created creatures that have been genetically engineered to eliminate or boost specific features in plants, animals, and microbes. While GMOs may appear to be a good thing in theory, they are far more dangerous and confusing in actuality. These creatures’ mutations have been found to damage natural ecosystems and crops, as well as cause genetic changes in humans and animals who consume them. GMOs have been shown in animal studies to raise the risk of gastrointestinal and immune system problems. They also cause reproductive organ damage and hasten the aging process.

Banned in: EU
Reason: Contains Yellow 5, Yellow 6, & Red 40
Est. Global Sales: $14.2 billion per year for Kellogg’s company*

These dessert-like delights are a popular sugary breakfast treat in the United States, but they are considerably harder to locate in other areas of the world. Pop-Tarts were more widely accessible in the United Kingdom after the supermarket chain Asda was purchased by Walmart, which added a “American Foods” department to their stores. They will be easier to purchase than ever before now that the UK has left the EU. Pop-Tarts are partially banned in the EU due to food coloring chemicals that have been related to behavioral difficulties in youngsters. Furthermore, animal studies indicate that consuming significant amounts of these food colorings may cause long-term health concerns. They are legal in some EU supermarkets, as are many American brand items, provided warning labels describing the potential dangers linked with the ingredients are applied.

Banned in: EU
Reason: Contains Azodicarbonamide
Est. Global Sales: $4.22 billion per year in sales for Arby’s*

Arby’s is one of the most well-known restaurant franchises in the United States. Despite the fact that branches are rarely seen in other countries, the EU has banned some of their products due to a component that has been linked to specific health hazards. Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is an industrial chemical that has been termed “the yoga mat chemical” due to its prevalence in foam. It is, nevertheless, a regular occurrence in baked goods due to its flour bleaching and dough conditioning characteristics, which give items an extremely soft and professional-looking appearance. The European Union has prohibited ADA because studies have shown that it can induce gluten intolerance, asthma, and dermatitis.

Banned in: EU and Australia
Reason: Contains Azodicarbonamide
Est. Global Sales: $127 billion per year*

Many Betty Crocker fans were taken aback when they learned that this potentially deadly substance may be included in her packaged pasta salad mixes. Azodicarbonamide is commonly found in baked goods because it bleaches flour and conditions the dough, making it appear softer and more colorful. It fulfills the same purpose as boxed pasta. This ingredient brightens and evens out the color of the pasta. Its dough softening products make cooking easier and faster. However, the convenience and attractiveness come at a cost, as these products are banned in the EU and Australia due to the purported toxicity of azodicarbonamide.

Banned in: Norway and Austria
Reason: Contains Yellow 5 & Yellow 6
Est. Global Sales: $2 billion per year in sales for the Tostitos brand in total*

Tostitos is a popular brand in the United States that makes tortilla chips and dips, but it has struggled to enter into European markets due to banned or highly discouraged components. Tostitos, like many other traditionally bland foods, include Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 to give their products a more bright, attractive appearance. These food colorings are strictly controlled in the EU, and Tostitos are entirely banned in Norway and Austria. Tartrazine, a synthetic yellow dye that generates the appeal factor in food colorings, is included in these colorings. Tartrazine, on the other hand, has been demonstrated to cause the highest allergic and intolerant reactions of any synthetic dye.

Banned in: Japan and EU
Reason: Contains BHT
Est. Global Sales: $429.4 million per year in the U.S.*

Butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, is a popular component in medicine and food manufacture. It can be used to treat cold sores, herpes, and even AIDS as a medication. It’s used in food as an antioxidant addition and preservative to keep some foods from rotting too soon. Despite being labeled safe by the American FDA, excessive doses of BHT have been demonstrated in research to be toxic to the human body. As a result, it is prohibited in the EU and many other nations, including Japan. Frosted Flakes were on the chopping board when BHT was prohibited, and they can now only be made in these countries using an alternate recipe.

Banned in: EU
Reason: Contains Bromine
Est. Global Sales: $100 million-$150 million per year*

Fresca is a citrus-flavored beverage manufactured by Coca-Cola that may be tough to find if you live in the EU. Fresca includes bromine, an ingredient with a complicated history that has sparked debate in the food industry. It is commonly used in carbonated drinks to keep other components from separating. However, bromine has a long list of potential negative effects, which has resulted in a prohibition in the EU. Bromine is extremely irritating to human skin and can result in severe burns. It has the potential to harm interior tissue and mucus membranes if eaten. Obviously, the concentration in food is far lower than that required to burn pure bromine. It does, however, include hazards, including as increasing the likelihood of developing an underactive thyroid or an unstable heart rhythm. Some studies even suggest that it may contribute to the development of schizophrenia.

Banned in: Sweden
Reason: Branding Conflict
Est. Global Sales: $989.7 million in 2021*