World’s Most Dangerous Foods

When you travel, you may think you are aware of all of the risks and dangers you could face. You probably know to take the proper vaccinations when visiting certain countries, to stay in safe, well-lit neighborhoods and to be aware of your surroundings.

But what about when it comes to what you eat? Could you be poisoning your body? Around the world, there are certain dangerous foods that can cause everything from mild food poisoning to, in extreme cases, death.

Read on to find out which foods should be consumed with caution — or, as the case may be, avoided at all costs.

Made with the leaves of wormwood — and mixed with green anise, fennel and other medicinal herbs — this high-alcohol liquor was invented by the Swiss in the 18th century, before quickly spreading into France. Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh and Ernest Hemingway were known to sip the spirit, which was cheaper than wine. 

Rumors that the drink caused hallucinations began to spread (some say by the winemakers) and the drink was banned for nearly 100 years. The U.S. lifted its ban on the controversial liquor in 2007.

While it won’t cause hallucinations, the thujone chemical found in wormword has been found to cause seizures, kidney failure, muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis, tremors, dizziness and nightmares, among other conditions. Some call the drink poison due to studies that showed a high number of deaths among mice on thujone.

But don’t be too freaked out: Properly made absinthe doesn’t have enough thujone to cause harm. Just make sure not to buy it on the cheap from less-than-legitimate sources. 

The most beautiful fruits can also be the most dangerous. Case in point? Ackee, a gorgeous, bright-red fruit that’s popular in Jamaica. 

While suitable for eating after cooking, immature ackee can make you sick, as the seeds inside are toxic. While only one in 1,000 people get poisoned by eating ackee in the Caribbean every year, the U.S. only allows for canned ackee to be sold, to ensure it is properly prepared.

Outside of the country, chefs who are pros with ackee can give you a taste — but don’t attempt to pick and prepare it on your own! 

Frog legs are a delicacy in France, but in some African countries, they like to eat the entire animal — especially if it’s a fat, juicy Namibian bullfrog.

The only hitch? This amphibian contains many toxins meant to ward off predators, including you. 

The toxins, highly concentrated in young frogs that have yet to mate, have been found to cause kidney failure and even death. We’ll pass, thank you.

What could possibly be wrong with eating a bean sprout, you may ask? A lot, it turns out. 

Sprouts are grown in warm, moist conditions — just the right combination for bacteria to grow. As a result, they may contain E.coli, salmonella and listeria, all of which can make you extremely sick.

Between 1996 and 2016, the Food and Drug Administration saw 2,474 illnesses, 187 hospitalizations and three deaths from sprouts.

Don’t want to give them up? Cooking them will kill off the deadly bacteria.