By FELICIA LEE
International Foods You'll Never Taste Here In The US
Kinder Surprise eggs, a hollow chocolate treat containing a capsule with a toy inside, are banned by the FDA because the plastic object poses a choking risk.
Kinder Surprise
The eggs fall foul of the FDA’s prohibition of confectionery that includes "non-nutritive objects." Kinder Surprise Eggs are enjoyed by children in Europe, Canada, and Mexico.
Bushmeat is raw or minimally processed meat from wild animals, like bats or monkeys. It is banned due to the risk of contamination with diseases like Ebola and monkeypox.
Bushmeat
Animal products cannot be imported into the U.S. unless they pass strict tests to ensure they are pathogen-free. Bushmeat is also sometimes made from prohibited endangered species.
Ackee, a fruit widely enjoyed in Jamaica, is banned by the FDA because toxins in unripe or improperly prepared ackee can cause vomiting, seizures, coma, and death.
Fresh Ackee
The fruit is typically served with salt cod and is safe to eat when prepared properly, by removing toxic parts and thorough cooking. You can buy canned ackee in the U.S.
Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep organs. It's banned in the U.S. because it contains livestock lungs, which have a high risk for dangerous contaminants.
Haggis
Haggis is a large, round, crumbly sausage that originated as a means of making use of organ meats. It's traditionally served with mashed potatoes, turnips, and good Scottish whisky.
Casu marzu is a cheese that contains live maggots, giving it a distinctive, funky flavor and oozing texture. It is banned in the U.S. due to health risks.
Casu Marzu
Hailing from Sardinia, the cheese is a delicacy for some — its fans eat it on bread, maggots and all. It's certainly not for everybody, and it's hard to find even in Sardinia.