13 Street Foods That Face Strict Regulations in Some Countries

Street food is a beloved part of many cultures, offering tasty and affordable meals to locals and tourists alike. But did you know that some popular street foods face strict rules in certain countries? These regulations aim to keep people safe and healthy but can also change how these foods are made and sold.

In this blog, I’ll take you on a tour of 13 street foods that have to follow tough rules in some places.

Raw Milk Cheese

Image Credit: “raw milk cheese” by niznoz is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Raw milk cheese is made from unpasteurized milk. Some countries ban or limit its sale due to health concerns. In the United States, raw milk cheese must be aged for at least 60 days before it can be sold. This aging process helps kill harmful bacteria. Many cheese lovers say raw milk cheese tastes better, but safety comes first.

Haggis

Image Credit: “Haggis” by Simon Collison is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Haggis is a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep organs. It’s banned in the United States because it contains sheep lungs. The US government thinks sheep lungs might not be safe to eat. This ban has been in place since 1971. Some people try to make haggis without lungs, but purists say it’s not the same.

Fugu (Pufferfish)

Image Credit: “Torafugu (Matsudo, Chiba, Japan)” by t-mizo is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Fugu is a Japanese delicacy that can be deadly if not prepared correctly. In Japan, chefs need a special license to serve fugu. They train for years to learn how to remove the toxic parts of the fish. Even with these rules, some people still get sick from eating fugu each year. Many countries don’t allow fugu to be imported at all.

Street Vendor Hot Dogs

Image Credit: “Manhattan Hot Dog Stand from the High Line” by joiseyshowaa is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

In some US cities, hot dog carts face strict rules. New York City, for example, limits where carts can be placed. Vendors must also follow food safety rules, like keeping hot dogs at the right temperature. These rules help keep people from getting sick. But they can make it hard for some vendors to stay in business.

Casu Marzu

Image Credit: “File:Casu Marzu cheese.jpg” by Shardan is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/?ref=openverse.

Casu marzu is a cheese from Sardinia, Italy. It’s famous for containing live insect larvae. The European Union banned it for a while because of food safety concerns. Now, it’s allowed in some places if it meets certain standards. But many countries still don’t allow it to be sold or imported.

Samosas

Image Credit: “Samosa” by kkalyan is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

In some Indian cities, samosas face regulations due to concerns about oil quality. Street vendors must use fresh oil and avoid reusing old oil. They also need to keep their cooking areas clean. These rules aim to prevent health problems caused by eating food cooked in bad oil. Some vendors find it hard to follow all these rules.

Balut

Image Credit: “Balut” by Charles Haynes is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Balut is a fertilized duck egg eaten in some Southeast Asian countries. In the Philippines, there are rules about how balut should be prepared and sold. Vendors must keep the eggs at a safe temperature. They also need to label the eggs with information about when they were made. Some countries ban balut imports because they think it’s not safe.

Street Tacos

Image Credit: “Street Tacos – Los Angeles, California” by ChrisGoldNY is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

In Mexico City, taco stands must follow strict hygiene rules. Vendors need to wear gloves and hairnets. They must also have access to clean water for washing hands and utensils. These rules help prevent the spread of illness. However, some people worry that they might change the traditional taco-making process.

Unpasteurized Fruit Juice

Image Credit: “Fruit juices all in a row” by Catherine Sharman is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Some countries have strict rules about selling unpasteurized fruit juice on the street. In the US, for example, juice must be pasteurized or have a warning label. This is because unpasteurized juice can contain harmful bacteria. Some juice lovers say pasteurization affects the taste, but health officials think it’s important for safety.

Bhel Puri

Image Credit: “Bhel Puri” by Tushar Pokle is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Bhel puri is a popular Indian street snack. In some Indian cities, vendors must use packaged water to make bhel puri. They also need to keep ingredients covered and use clean utensils. These rules aim to prevent food-borne illnesses. Some vendors say these rules make it harder to prepare bhel puri in the traditional way.

Escargot

Image Credit: “Poulet et escargot en rolleaux – Bistro Vue” by avlxyz is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Escargot, or cooked snails, face regulations in some countries. In France, where escargot is popular, there are rules about how snails should be collected and prepared. Vendors must make sure the snails are safe to eat and free from parasites. Some countries don’t allow wild-caught snails to be sold as food at all.

Stinky Tofu

Image Credit: “Stinky tofu!” by Veronica Belmont is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Stinky tofu is a fermented dish popular in some Asian countries. In Taiwan, there are rules about where stinky tofu can be sold. Some cities don’t allow it to be made or sold in certain areas because of its strong smell. Vendors also need to follow food safety rules about how the tofu is prepared and stored.

Blood Sausage

Image Credit: “Kaszanka Polish Blood Sausage – Polish Deli, Queen Victoria Market” by avlxyz is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Blood sausage, also known as black pudding, faces regulations in many countries. In the European Union, there are strict rules about how blood can be collected and used in food. Some countries don’t allow blood sausage to be imported at all. These rules aim to prevent the spread of diseases that can be carried in animal blood.

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Victoria Omololu

Victoria Omololu is a fashionista exploring the world on a budget. She co-founded Only Earthlings in 2023 to show her travels in North America, Europe, Africa, and everywhere else. Victoria loves writing about travel tips, itineraries, packing guides, and taking photography from all over the world.

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