15 Products That Were Banned for Wild Reasons
These 15 products were banned for strange, surprising, or unexpected reasons that made headlines or shocked the public.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Not all banned products were removed because they were unsafe or harmful. Some were taken off the market for legal, political, or cultural reasons that seemed unusual. This list looks at 15 real products that were banned under circumstances that most people wouldn’t expect.
1. Kinder Surprise Eggs (USA)
United States Customs and Border Protection on Wikimedia Commons
Kinder Surprise Eggs are chocolate eggs with a toy hidden inside, but they are banned in the United States. The reason is a 1938 law that prohibits embedding non-edible objects in food. Officials considered the toy a choking risk, even though the product is sold safely in many countries. The ban has remained in place despite public interest.
2. Silly String (During Halloween in Hollywood)
Dion Hinchcliffe on Wikimedia Commons
Silly String is banned in Hollywood on Halloween night. The city passed an ordinance due to past incidents of people spraying it on police officers, cars, and shop windows. The clean-up costs were high, and the foam became a nuisance. Violators can be fined if caught using it during the restricted period.
3. Chewing Gum (Singapore)
Gohnarch on Wikimedia Commons
Singapore banned the sale of chewing gum in 1992 to maintain clean streets and public spaces. Officials said discarded gum was damaging public property, especially train doors. The ban is strict and includes heavy fines. Only certain gums are allowed for medical use under certain exceptions.
4. Haggis (USA)
Tess Watson on Wikimedia Commons
Haggis, a traditional Scottish dish, is banned in the U.S. because it contains sheep’s lung. The USDA does not allow sheep lungs in food due to health concerns about contamination during processing. Despite requests to lift the ban, it remains in place. Many Americans have never legally tried the original version.
5. Snapchat (Some Middle Eastern Countries)
Stock Catalog on Wikimedia Commons
Snapchat has been blocked in countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar at different times. Authorities said the app promoted behavior that went against local moral standards. There were also concerns over unfiltered content and privacy. Some bans were temporary, but restrictions on the app continue in some areas.
6. Lawn Darts (USA and Canada)
/dave/null on Wikimedia Commons
Lawn darts were banned after several serious injuries and at least one child’s death. The sharp metal tips made them unsafe for children. Parents and doctors called for the product to be pulled. The ban was passed in the late 1980s and has never been reversed.
7. Tom and Jerry Cartoons (Certain Countries)
Warner Bros. Games on Wikimedia Commons
Some episodes of Tom and Jerry were banned or edited in parts of Europe and Asia. The reasons included scenes of smoking, racial stereotypes, and excessive cartoon violence. While the show is iconic, its older content did not meet modern broadcast standards. Several versions have been censored for public viewing.
8. Baby Walkers (Canada)
Jack de Nijs on Wikimedia Commons
Canada banned the sale, import, and advertisement of baby walkers in 2004. Health officials found that they led to many head injuries and gave infants unsafe access to stairs and sharp objects. The devices were declared too dangerous, even when used correctly. Violators can face heavy fines for selling them.
9. Blue Jeans (North Korea)
Minderbinder on Wikimedia Commons
Blue jeans are banned in North Korea because of their association with Western culture, especially the United States. The country’s government sees denim as a symbol of capitalism. Wearing or owning jeans can lead to punishment. Only government-approved clothing is allowed.
10. Face Masks (During Protests in Hong Kong)
Paju on Wikimedia Commons
During a wave of protests, Hong Kong banned the use of face masks in public gatherings. Authorities said the masks helped protesters hide their identity from law enforcement. Critics said the ban violated privacy and freedom of expression. The law became one of the most debated in the city’s recent history.
11. High-Heeled Shoes (Greek Ruins)
Alexas_Fotos-686414 on Wikimedia Commons
Greece banned high-heeled shoes at many ancient ruins and historic sites. Officials said the shoes were damaging stone surfaces and left permanent marks. Visitors are asked to wear flat footwear to prevent further harm. The rule applies at places like the Acropolis.
12. Pepsi (Soviet Union)
Maksym Kozlenko on Wikimedia Commons
Pepsi was briefly banned in the Soviet Union after being the first Western soft drink sold there. It became a symbol of American capitalism, which some Soviet officials opposed. Later, Pepsi made a deal with the USSR to trade cola for vodka. Still, political shifts led to its removal for a time.
13. Books with Magic (Parts of the USA)
Sam Hood on Wikimedia Commons
Some schools in the U.S. banned Harry Potter books for promoting magic and witchcraft. Concerned parents claimed the series encouraged occult thinking. Despite no evidence, some school boards removed the books from libraries. The ban continues in some private or religious schools.
14. Coca-Cola (Cuba and North Korea)
M0tty on Wikimedia Commons
Coca-Cola is officially banned in Cuba and North Korea due to long-standing trade restrictions with the United States. The drink cannot be sold legally in stores or restaurants. In both countries, only government-approved beverages are available. This ban has existed for decades.
15. Lip-Syncing (Turkmenistan)
Lindenlink Multimedia on Wikimedia Commons
The president of Turkmenistan banned lip-syncing at concerts and public events. He said it harmed the development of real music and local culture. The ban includes television and school performances. It remains in place under cultural protection laws.