Is Casu Marzu illegal in the United States?
I am having difficulty determining whether Casu Marzu is illegal in the United States. There are reports of it being available, albeit briefly, in New York last year. Also, I have heard that it is illegal because it is unpasteurized.
Wikipedia's description:
Casu Marzu....is a traditional Sardinian sheep milk cheese, notable for containing live insect larvae (maggots). Although found mostly in the island of Sardinia, the cheese is also found in the nearby Corsica, where it goes by the name of casgiu merzu.
Are all unpasteurized cheeses & dairy products illegal in the United States? Is Casu Marzu illegal because it is unpasteurized? Or might it have something to do with those maggots...
Best Answer
You ain't going to get anything like that into the states legally - not with the chance of livestock still being viable in there. It doesn't need pasteurising,it needs paralyzing before it will get past US customs.
You might get some included as a component of a cooked product, if the paperwork assures customs it doesn't actually cause death.
If you want a strong tasting cheese, try looking for Vieux Lille.
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Quick Answer about "Is Casu Marzu illegal in the United States?"
Casu marzu is illegal in the United States and throughout Europe, including Italy. Yes, that's right, it's banned in the country where it originates. The cheese has been illegal to sell in Italy since 1962, due to a food safety law regarding eating food with insects and parasites.Is casu marzu legal in US?
Casu marzu For obvious reasons, the United States has banned it due to hygienic concerns. It was also banned by the European Union, but the ban was overturned in 2013 because the cheese is considered a traditional food of Italy.Is maggot cheese illegal in the US?
Yes, maggots. After the fermentation process, the cheese is left to rot among swarms of fly larvae. This alters the texture of the cheese so that it's soft and liquid seeps out. This cheese is illegal not only in the U.S., but also in the entire European Union.Is casu marzu illegal everywhere?
The production of Casu Marzu never stopped, despite its sales being outlawed. Several small farmers, especially in the hinterland, produce it. Officially, only for their own consumption.Where is casu marzu illegal?
Casu Marzu also known as Maggot Cheese is a traditional form of cheese and the legacy of making this rarest variety of cheese is still retained by some of the localities. But the selling of this cheese is banned and is considered illegal by Italy and the European Union.Top 10 Forbidden Foods In America
More answers regarding is Casu Marzu illegal in the United States?
Answer 2
Not THE answer, but: A state-by-state map of raw milk laws in the United States
Answer 3
I was under the impression based on what I saw on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern that it is not available outside the area where it is produced, let alone outside of the EU.
Answer 4
I think there is export laws over the European Union. For a while you could get mimolette and make it but then it was banned. Anything that has mites gets banned by the FDA.
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