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Grocery Coupon Guide
Grocery Coupon Guide
Shay Huntley

6 Foods That Are Surprisingly Illegal to Buy in California

California has a reputation for being ahead of the curve, especially when it comes to health and safety regulations. The state often enacts laws that are stricter than federal guidelines, particularly concerning food. This has led to a unique marketplace where certain food items, legal in other parts of the country, are surprisingly illegal to sell or produce within California’s borders. These bans typically stem from concerns over animal welfare, public health risks from specific additives, or environmental protection. For shoppers and foodies, it creates a fascinating and sometimes confusing landscape.

Image Source: pexels.com

1. Foie Gras

This is perhaps the most famous food ban in California. State law prohibits the sale of any product that is the result of force-feeding a bird to enlarge its liver beyond its normal size. This effectively outlaws traditional foie gras, a French delicacy made from the liver of a duck or goose. The law, which has survived numerous legal challenges since it went into full effect, was enacted purely on the grounds of preventing animal cruelty.

2. Foods Containing Red Dye No. 3

Following the passage of the California Food Safety Act, several common food additives are on their way out. The most prominent is Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic coloring agent found in thousands of products, including many popular candies, icings, and fruit cocktails. Citing studies that link the dye to cancer and neurobehavioral issues in children, California will officially ban its use in foods manufactured or sold in the state starting in 2027.

3. Products with Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)

Also included in the California Food Safety Act is a ban on brominated vegetable oil, or BVO. This additive has been used for decades as an emulsifier in some citrus-flavored soft drinks and sports drinks to prevent the flavoring from separating and floating to the top. Health concerns about bromine accumulation in the body prompted the ban, which aligns California with regulations already in place in Europe and Japan.

4. Baked Goods Made with Potassium Bromate

Potassium bromate is another additive targeted by the California Food Safety Act. Bakers have used this chemical to strengthen dough, allowing it to rise higher and giving bread a white, fluffy texture. However, since the substance is a potential human carcinogen, California has moved to prohibit its use. This will force some bakeries and food manufacturers that still use the ingredient to reformulate their recipes by the 2027 deadline.

5. Certain Swordfish and Shark Meat

Image Source: pexels.com

California has strict laws to protect its marine ecosystems and prevent consumer exposure to mercury. The state prohibits taking or selling swordfish under a certain weight and fin length to protect juvenile populations. Additionally, it is illegal to possess, sell, or trade any shark fins, which effectively bans the traditional culinary practice of making shark fin soup due to the cruel and unsustainable practice of shark finning.

6. Unpasteurized Milk (for Interstate Sale)

While California is one of the few states that allows the retail sale of raw (unpasteurized) milk from state-licensed facilities, federal law strictly prohibits the transport and sale of raw milk across state lines. This means that while you can buy raw milk from a California dairy, it is illegal for a store in California to sell raw milk produced in another state, like Arizona or Oregon. This federal ban limits the variety of raw milk products available in the state.

The California Standard

The Golden State often acts as a trendsetter for the rest of the nation in consumer protection and environmental law. The state’s decision to ban certain food products and additives sends a powerful message to the food industry and federal regulators alike. These laws reflect a growing consumer demand for greater transparency and higher safety standards in the food supply, a trend that is likely to continue spreading across the country.

Do you agree with California’s food bans? Are there other foods or additives you think should be illegal? Share your thoughts below!

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The post 6 Foods That Are Surprisingly Illegal to Buy in California appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.

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