Foods that are loved in Germany – but banned elsewhere

Raw milk, poppy seed rolls or Kinder surprise eggs – what is completely normal in Germany is subject to much stricter regulations and even bans in other countries. We take a look at the intriguing differences!

Raw milk and raw milk cheese

In Germany, raw milk and cheeses made from it, such as Camembert or Brie, are extremely popular. In countries such as the USA and Australia, however, they are strictly regulated or even banned as they can contain harmful bacteria such as listeria, salmonella and E. coli. While German consumers are given the choice, other countries take strict precautions.

Poppy seeds

Poppy seed rolls and pastries are part of the traditional bakery repertoire in Germany and are real staples on the breakfast and coffee table. However, poppy seeds are banned in countries such as Singapore and Saudi Arabia. The reason: they contain small traces of opiates and are therefore on the list of banned substances.

Kinder surprise eggs

In Germany, not only children but also adults have been enjoying the iconic chocolate eggs with a surprise inside for decades. In the USA, however, things are different: Due to regulations prohibiting non-edible objects in food, they have been banned since the 1930s. The concern: children could choke on the small toys if they swallowed them.

Foie gras

Foie gras, the stuffed liver originating from France, is also considered a delicacy in Germany. However, in many other countries such as Australia, India and Israel, it is on the blacklist. The reason for this is animal welfare concerns: production requires geese to be force-fed, which is considered cruel in these countries.

Chewing gum

Many Germans enjoy chewing gum on a regular basis – whether to combat bad breath, stress or simply as a snack. In Singapore, however, both the import and sale of chewing gum has been banned since 1992. What is behind this? The city-state wants to use the ban to reduce environmental pollution caused by improperly disposed chewing gum.

Food regulations worldwide: a cultural comparison

These examples impressively show how much food regulations and evaluations can differ from country to country. What is an everyday classic in Germany may be strictly forbidden elsewhere for health, cultural or ecological reasons. Exciting insights into the diversity of global food regulations!