Wait… What?!
From books to chocolates to playground slides—there are some surprisingly strange things that are either partially or completely banned in the U.S. And no, we’re not kidding.
As loyal Zippians who love voicing your opinions on all things trending and brand-related, we thought you’d enjoy this list of unusual laws and bans in the United States. Some make sense, others will make you raise your eyebrows—and one or two might make you chuckle.
Let’s dive into it!
Pre-1985 Children’s books
We’re starting strong with this bizarre one. Children’s books printed before 1985 are actually illegal to sell in the U.S. without going through specific regulatory checks.
Why? Because older books may contain lead-based ink, which poses serious health risks—especially to children, including potential brain damage. So, if you stumble upon an old favorite and try selling it on a whim, you could be violating federal law.
They say “looks could kill,” but who knew books could too?
Kinder Eggs
Yes, those delightful Kinder Surprise eggs that kids adore worldwide? They’re banned in the U.S. by the FDA.
Why? Because of that tiny toy hidden inside the chocolate shell. The FDA prohibits “non-nutritive objects” embedded in food products. Essentially, a toy inside candy is a no-go due to choking hazards.
Don’t worry though—plenty of alternative chocolates are still available in the U.S. (though Kinder fans may shed a tiny tear).
Shark Fin Soup
A controversial delicacy in many East Asian cultures, shark fin soup is thankfully illegal in the U.S.—and for good reason.
Shark finning (cutting fins off while the shark is still alive) is a horrific practice that has pushed many shark species toward extinction. In 2000, the U.S. took a stand and banned shark finning in its waters.
Despite global demand, this is one item that’s better left off the menu.
Cadbury Chocolate
Brace yourself: British Cadbury Dairy Milk is illegal in the United States. Why? Because of a long-standing legal drama between Hershey’s and Cadbury.
Back in 1988, Hershey acquired the rights to manufacture Cadbury products in the U.S. Then in 2015, they went a step further—banning the import of original British Cadbury chocolate altogether.
So if you’re craving that authentic creamy taste, you’ll need to cross the pond. Or maybe just enjoy a Hershey bar and move on, yeah Zippians?
Raw Milk
The U.S. FDA banned the interstate sale of raw (unpasteurized) milk in 1987, citing health risks from harmful bacteria.
While a few states allow sales directly from farms, raw milk remains illegal or heavily restricted in most of the country. Sure, it may taste fresher—but the risk of contamination just isn’t worth it.
And hey, cereal still tastes great with the pasteurized stuff.
Internet Café (Florida)
This one’s a wild ride.
Back in 2013, Florida banned illegal gambling machines that were being run through so-called “Internet Cafés.” But in doing so, they inadvertently shut down legit Internet Cafés as well.
The law, signed by Governor Rick Scott, was meant to stop underground gambling but ended up wiping out an entire industry.
No biggie though—most of us have 5G and mini-computers in our pockets now. Still, RIP Internet Cafés. You served us well.
Collaborating with Pirates
Yup. Collaborating with actual pirates is still illegal in the U.S.
This law sounds like something out of a Pirates of the Caribbean script, but it’s very real. According to U.S. code, anyone who “confederates or corresponds” with pirates can be prosecuted.
So if you were planning to team up with Captain Jack Sparrow, think again. It’s not worth jail time (even for the treasure).
Metal Slides in playgrounds
Remember those scorching hot metal slides that could practically fry an egg on a summer day?
They’re gone for a reason. KinderCare reports over 200,000 injuries from playgrounds each year, with older metal equipment being a major culprit. Today, playgrounds use safer materials like plastic and rubber—and rightly so.
So while the nostalgia is real, the pain definitely was too. Let’s keep our slides cool and kid-friendly.
Guess What’s Not Illegal in the USA?
Paid surveys on Zippy Opinion!
That’s right! You can get rewarded just for sharing your opinions from the comfort of your home. No bans, no restrictions, just good ol’ fashioned feedback that helps shape major brands—and puts money in your pocket.
So if you’re not already a member, what are you waiting for?
Join Zippy Opinion today.
Fun, facts, and real rewards—now that’s perfectly legal.
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