Ackee fruit
The raw version of this Jamaican fruit is banned from import to the United States because it contains toxins that may block the body's ability to produce an extra supply of glucose. This in turn, can lead to a low blood sugar level and potential death. Canned Ackee was banned for years in the US but is now legal - although is import is carefully monitored and the raw fruit is still liable to be seized.
Samosas
Enjoyed the world over, these spicy triangular snacks have been banned in Somalia after the country's al-Shabaab group deemed them "offensive" and "too Christian." Militants used loudspeakers mounted on trucks to announce the ban in July, in the regions they currently control. No other explanation was given for the veto.
Horse meat
Slaughtering horses for human consumption is illegal in the US, although it is not against the law to consume horse meat. Neither is it in the UK but the food remains a taboo, with Gordon Ramsay attracting virulent criticism for suggesting it be re-introduced to restaurants. In France, Italy and other countries in Europe, it is considered a delicacy.
Absinthe
Traditional Absinthe was banned for many years in the US and Europe because it contains large concentrations of wormwood, a plant containing the chemical thujone, which can induce hallucinations and affect mental health. The ban was lifted in the 1990s in Europe but in its rawest form, Absinthe remains technically illegal in the States as a food product controlled by the US Food and Drug Administration.