Silver Dragées
Prohibited in: United States (California)
Justification: Non-food status
Silver dragées, the tiny silver balls used to decorate cakes, are banned in California because they are considered “non-food items.” Although they are technically edible, the state has classified them as for decorative purposes only, making it illegal to sell them as food. The rest of the country, however, continues to allow their sale and consumption.
Poppy Seeds
Prohibited in: Singapore, Saudi Arabia
Justification: Opium content
Poppy seeds, while common in baked goods around the world, are banned in countries like Singapore and Saudi Arabia due to their connection to opium. While the seeds themselves contain only trace amounts of opiates, the association with drug use is enough for these countries to prohibit their importation and use in food products.