The Most Dangerous Foods From Around The World

1. Fugu (Japan):

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A fugu is a kind of pufferfish that originates in Japan. The fish contains something called tetrodotoxin which is a very powerful and dangerous neurotoxin that can cause death. The only way this fish can be eaten is when it has been prepared by a fully licensed chef. But even then it still poses a risk.

2. Ackee (Jamaica):

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Ackee is a fruit commonly found in Jamaica. Whilst it is consumed frequently, due to it growing in abundance, it is a very dangerous food. If the ackee is not fully ripe or has not been cooked and prepared correctly, it can be toxic and cause extreme sickness!

3. Casu Marzu (Sardinia):

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Casu Marzu is a traditional Sardinian cheese and one of the most dangerous foods in the world. The cheese contains live maggots, which remain purposefully within the cheese. Yet, when eaten alive as intended, these maggots can survive digestion and cause severe intestinal problems!

4. Silverstripe Blaasop (South Africa):

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The Silverstripe Blaasop is a type of pufferfish that lives near the waters of South Africa. It's super dangerous to consume, and like the Fugu it has to be prepared and cooked by a trained chef. Yet despite the danger, it remains a delicacy in South Africa.

5. Feseekh (Egypt):

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Another very dangerous food is Feseekh from Egypt. It is consumed around springtime during the Egyptian festival called Sham El Nessim. The fish undergoes a fermentation process before it is consumed. Yet the process can lead to the growth of dangerous bacteria and toxins!

6. San-nak-ji (South Korea):

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San-nak-ji in South Korea is a dish that contains live octopus. With any instances of eating raw animals, there is a potential for harmful bacteria as it has not been cooked to a high temperature. And, it has also on several occasions proved to be a choking hazard!

7. Monkey brains (Indonesia):

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Monkey brains are sometimes served as a specialty in Indonesia. Yet eating monkey brains comes with the danger of harmful diseases that can be transferred to humans. For example, the monkey brain has been known to transmit diseases such as the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

8. Bullet Ants (Amazon):

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Bullet Ants are consumed as a part of an initiation ritual in the Amazon. They have eaten life, yet the ants contain sharp and venomous stings that are dangerous. Despite being known as a kind of food, these ants are not completely fit for human consumption!

9. Echizen Kurage (Japan):

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In Japan, Echizen Kurage is considered a delicacy. It is a giant jellyfish, that can contain dangerous toxins if it has not been prepared and cooked in a very specific way. However, despite the danger, the exclusivity of being able to buy the dish has made it even more popular.

10. Huitlacoche (Mexico):

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Another dangerous food is Huitlacoche, found in Mexico. It is a fungus that grows inside corn and it can contain fungal toxins which can cause severe or even deadly reactions. Yet again, the danger behind the food seems to have made the fungus become considered a delicacy.

11. Hyena meat (Ethiopia):

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In Ethiopia, hyenas are commonplace and can actually become a nuisance to the lands which has resulted in their meat being consumed as a common kind of dish. But, Hyenas can spread and carry disease so it is dangerous meat to consume and it has to be cooked thoroughly.

12. Cassava (South America):

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Cassava is a root that grows in a number of countries, including South America where it thrives. Because it is so common, it is consumed to eat despite its dangers, If it is not cooked correctly Cassava can actually release cyanide which is toxic for humans!

13. Hakarl (Iceland):

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Hakarl when translated means rotting or fermented shark. The shark is hunk and fermented so that the flavors become stronger. However, fermenting meat or fish always comes with dangerous risks as extremely harmful bacteria thrive in this environment. It also releases a strong ammonia smell and taste.

14. Balut (Philippines):

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Balut is considered a kind of specialty in the Philippines; it is a fertilized duck embryo eaten whole with neither the feathers nor bones removed. Balut can contain a lot of bacteria, and it can be seen as a choking hazard as well as being seen in some places as unethical.

15. Rhubarb leaves (Asia):

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Despite rhubarb itself being edible and delicious, the leaves are very dangerous! The leaves surrounding the fruit are actually very toxic for humans and contain something called oxalic acid which when eaten can cause severe damage. The fruit can be root but the leaves must be avoided.

16. Stargazy Pie (England):

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Stargazy pie, as it has been named, consists of a traditional Cornish pie with fish heads poking out of the crust. It may look unappetizing, but it remains a popular and traditional choice. However, it has been deemed dangerous by some due to the pie containing whole fish.

17. Haggis (Scotland):

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Haggis is a Scottish dish, and it contains sheep liver, heart, and lungs. The ingredients therefore have been deemed unsanitary by some, and there are concerns over its safety in some countries. For example, it was banned in the USA and deemed as a dangerous food.

18. Stonefish (Australia):

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Stonefish is another kind of dangerous pufferfish that needs years of training to be able to cook it. It contains a poison that can be lethal. In fact, there have been instances in which this fish has not been cooked correctly and it has led to fatalities!

19. Lychee (India):

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Lychees are a fruit that originates from India. While they are an exceedingly delicious fruit with lots of important vitamins and health benefits, they can also be dangerous. The danger arises if you consume too many unripe lychees, especially when consumed by young children.

20. Fiddlehead Ferns (North America):

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Fiddlehead ferns come from North America and they are a kind of fern that is picked raw, or even undercooked and could cause food poisoning. Yet, if they are cooked correctly they are edible. They are dangerous because vegetation is usually considered safe to eat without thorough cooking!

21. Sago Delight (Papua New Guinea):

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Sago Delight is made from the sago palm, which is also a plant that can be edible if cooked correctly. If not, the sago palm contains toxins that can cause damage to humans when they are eaten. These toxins can only dissipate when the plant is cooked.

22. Moth Larvae (South Africa):

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Moth Larvae are sometimes eaten as a dish in South Africa. They are packed with protein and readily available. Yet, they are dangerous because eating certain kinds of these moth larvae can lead to parasitic infections in the body which can cause serious problems.

23. Lutefisk (Scandinavia):

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Lutefisk originates in Scandinavia. While they are not one of the most dangerous foods on the list, they do pose risks. Lutefisk are dried fish that are treated with lye. Whilst the majority of the time they cause no problems, there have been instances where they have been dangerous to eat.

24. Sushi (Southeast Asia):

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Sushi is one of the most dangerous foods because raw fish can contain bacteria. Sushi fish have to be treated and kept in very precise conditions, if these are not met the bacteria can grow and can cause dangerous food poisoning. And, sushi can also cause high amounts of heavy metals, including mercury.

25. Surstromming (Sweden):

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Fermented herring (Surstromming) is somewhat of a specialty in Sweden. Herring already has a potent flavor which is exemplified after the fermenting process. Usually, the fermentation process is safe, however, it is always eaten with risk as it can never be certified.

26. Raw Oysters (Worldwide):

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Raw oysters are increasingly becoming a danger to our health. Because the oceans are becoming dirtier, oysters now contain more bacteria and dirt than ever before. Cases of food poisoning are rising as oysters are being deemed more and more dangerous to eat.

27. African Bullfrog (Namibia):

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In Namibia, the African Bullfrog is sometimes eaten as a special dish. But, if this frog is eaten without having certain internal organs removed it can be highly toxic to whoever eats it. The bullfrog has to be prepared with great care if it is to be consumed safely, otherwise, it can be super dangerous.

28. Mopane Worms (Southern Africa):

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In Southern Africa, there is a local delicacy called the mopane worm. These worms are actually very dangerous and if they are not cooked to a high temperature they can transmit diseases. The worms are carriers of disease, making them potentially very dangerous or even deadly.

29. Acai Berries (Brazil):

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Acai Berries have become more and more popular all over the world. They originate in Brazil, and despite having become renowned for their nutrition, they are also potentially dangerous. There have been cases where they have caused outbreaks of illness when they have been contaminated.

30. Live Coconut Worms (Vietnam)

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There is always a risk when eating a creature that is still alive, as it hasn't been through any process that could get rid of any harmful diseases or bacteria. And so in Vietnam, the practice of eating live Coconut Worms is actually very dangerous as it can make you very unwell.