About a week ago, a federal judge overturned a two-year ban of the sale of foie gras in California. I remember thinking when the law first took effect in 2012–it actually passed the state legislature in 2004–isn’t this a minor issue? Aren’t there much more important animal rights issues to tackle?
(For a great perspective, read this NY Times column, “Let Them Eat Foie Gras.”)
I also thought, it’s odd that we can live in a society in which certain foods are banned, both here and abroad. So, let’s take a look at some of those items:
Ketchup: In 2011, France installed a semi-ban on ketchup in elementary schools. Students have french fries once per week, and only then are they allowed to have ketchup. The condiment is thought to mask the flavor of French dishes, hence the ban.- Unpasteurized milk: Despite the benefits of raw milk, and the fact that people in many countries worldwide drink it, its sale is banned in several states, including Iowa and Indiana. In Wisconsin, you can buy unpasteurized milk legally from licensed farmers.
- Margarine. The dairy lobby is very, very powerful. This ban takes place in–where else–Wisconsin. Here are parts of the law: “The serving of colored oleomargarine or margarine at a public eating place as a substitute for table butter is prohibited unless it is ordered by the customer” and “The serving of oleomargarine or margarine to students, patients or inmates of any state institutions as a substitute for table butter is prohibited.”
- Bottled water. It is illegal to sell bottled water of 1 liter size or smaller in Concord, Mass. Retailers can get fined up to $50!
- Four Loko. The original version was banned in several states for its combination of alcohol and caffeine. At the time I had wondered, have people ever heard of a rum-and-coke or vodka-Red Bull? The new formula doesn’t include caffeine.
Lastly, in researching for this blog post, I learned that Mississippi passed a law in 2013 that bans food bans. I find that amusing, especially for a state that ranks No. 1 for obesity. At the time, Mississippi Poultry Association President Mark Leggett said, “Don’t mess with the buffet.”
