Food laws have changed a lot over the years. Some things that were once common in diets around the world are now banned due to health risks, ethical concerns, or environmental issues.
From dangerous additives to rare delicacies, these foods were once on the menu but are now off-limits in certain places. Here are 15 things we used to eat that you won’t find in your grocery store anymore.
1. Trans Fats
Once common in processed foods, trans fats were banned in the U.S. in 2018 due to their link to heart disease. They were used to extend shelf life in baked goods, margarine, and fried foods.
2. Artificial Food Dyes (Certain Ones)
Some artificial food dyes, like Red 3 and Yellow 5, have been banned in various countries due to concerns about hyperactivity and cancer risks. Europe has stricter regulations than the U.S. on artificial colors.
3. Kinder Surprise Eggs
These chocolate eggs with hidden toys were banned in the U.S. for years because of choking hazards. They’ve since been replaced by a modified version that separates the toy from the chocolate.
4. Raw Milk
Raw milk is illegal in many states due to the risk of bacterial contamination. Unlike pasteurized milk, it hasn’t been heat-treated to kill harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.
5. Foie Gras
This controversial delicacy, made from the liver of force-fed ducks or geese, is banned in places like California and the UK due to concerns over animal cruelty.
6. Absinthe (Real Version)
Traditional absinthe contained thujone, a compound believed to cause hallucinations. While modern versions are legal, the original recipe with high thujone levels is still banned in some places.
7. Shark Fin Soup
Once a luxury dish, shark fin soup is banned in many areas due to the cruel practice of finning, where sharks are caught, their fins removed, and the rest discarded.
8. Sassafras Oil
Sassafras oil, once used to flavor root beer, was banned by the FDA because it contains safrole, a compound linked to liver damage and cancer. Modern root beers use artificial substitutes.
9. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Used in some sodas and sports drinks to keep ingredients from separating, BVO was banned in the U.S. in 2023 due to health risks, including thyroid issues and organ damage.
10. Casu Marzu (Maggot Cheese)
This Italian cheese is illegal in many places because it contains live maggots. Some claim it’s a delicacy, but the potential health risks make it a no-go for most food regulators.
11. Ortolan Bunting
A rare French delicacy, this tiny songbird was traditionally eaten whole after being drowned in brandy. It’s now banned due to conservation efforts and ethical concerns.
12. Japanese Pufferfish (Fugu)
Fugu is legal in Japan but strictly controlled due to its deadly poison. In many countries, it’s outright banned because improper preparation can be fatal.
13. Horse Meat (In the U.S.)
Horse meat is still eaten in parts of Europe and Asia, but in the U.S., it’s effectively banned due to strong cultural taboos and animal welfare concerns.
Read More: 15 Foods That Contain the Now-Banned Red No. 3 Dye
14. Haggis (Authentic Version)
Authentic haggis, made with sheep lung, is banned in the U.S. due to health regulations. American versions replace the lung with other ingredients, but purists say it’s not the same.
Read More: What You Need to Know About the FDA’s Ban on Red Dye No. 3
15. Beluga Caviar
The U.S. banned the import of beluga caviar due to concerns over the endangered beluga sturgeon. This luxury item is still available in some other parts of the world, but at a high price.
Read More: Check Out Some of the Most Controversial Food Bans Ever