The 50 Craziest State Food Laws
The 50 Craziest State Food Laws
We know that people in different states have very different opinions on how certain foods should be eaten—just look at the country's wild variety of sandwich preferences — but we had no idea about the slew of dumb laws out there governing everything from what we can and can't eat to when and where we can eat them. How many of these absurd food laws have you broken?
Alabama
Having an ice cream cone in your back pocket is off-limits, according to the law in Alabama — which means you won't have to worry about your shorts getting sticky.
Alaska
In the city of Fairbanks, feeding any alcoholic beverage to a moose is a very serious offense. Probably best to keep large, wild animals sober, anyway.
Arizona
The days can get pretty scorching in Arizona, especially during the summertime. For that reason, it is considered unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water — that means individuals, restaurants and other businesses.
Arkansas
In Little Rock, you better not get caught honking your car horn at a sandwich shop after 9pm. Maybe deli meats need their beauty rest, too?
California
Visitors to Carmel who were hit with a craving for ice cream had to make sure they didn't eat it while standing on the sidewalk — until Clint Eastwood became mayor in 1987 and repealed the silly law.
Colorado
Ever feel like you need a drink before hitting the polls? Well in Colorado you'd be out of luck. No liquor may be sold on election days in the state.
Connecticut
Due to past confusion about the difference between a pickle and a cucumber in Connecticut, the law now decrees that a pickle must bounce to qualify as our beloved, salty snack.
Delaware
In the town of Fenwick Island, DE, people are not permitted to have picnics on the highway, which could definitely put a damper on locals' tailgating plans.
Florida
Be careful of clumsy dishwashing in the state of Florida — you're not allowed to break more than three dishes per day or chip the edges of more than four cups or saucers, according to the law.
Georgia
Forget about two-for-one happy hour deals in Georgia. It's illegal to sell two beers at once for a single price here.
Hawaii
Leave your double-fisting habit at home if you're heading to Hawaii, because it's definitely not okay to have more than one alcoholic drink in front of you at a time.
Idaho
Everyone should consider making plans in Idaho for Valentine's Day next year! Apparently it's illegal for a man to give his sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than 50 pounds — sounds like a sweet law to us.
Illinois
The law in Chicago states that you may not eat in a place that's on fire ... hopefully that doesn't interfere with any especially "hot" dinner dates you may have planned.
Indiana
The city of Gary, IN has no tolerance for bad breath, according to the law. If you've eaten garlic in the last four hours, you're not allowed to go to a movie theater or ride a public streetcar.
Iowa
We're not sure what occurred in the city of Indianola leading to the banishment of the "Ice Cream Man" and his truck, but the local kids are really missing out on a sweet summer tradition.
Kansas
We've all had an unfortunate experience with a vending machine at some point, but a law prohibiting people from hitting a machine that stole their money ensures that things don't get violent in Derby, KS.
Kentucky
If you don't like what a public speaker has to say in Kentucky, try to contain yourself. Throwing eggs at them could lead to a fine or land you in prison for up to a year
Louisiana
Trying to play a prank on your friend by ordering surprise pizzas to be delivered their house? In Louisiana that cheesy ploy could get you slapped with a $500 fine!
Maine
Better not get in the way of South Berwick residents and their favorite coffee — it's illegal to park your car in front of the Dunkin' Donuts on Main Street here.
Maryland
Your mom has probably told you not to eat before you swim, but according to Maryland law, eating while swimming in the ocean is an absolute no-no.
Massachusetts
People grieve in many different ways, but Massachusetts residents should try not to eat their feelings due to a law that prohibits mourners from eating more than three sandwiches at a wake.
Michigan
It's best not to get tipsy while taking the train in Michigan — people who are drunk and disruptive on a locomotive are breaking state law.
Minnesota
St. Cloud residents have an odd law on the books that makes it illegal to eat hamburgers on Sundays. If a craving hits, we suggest grilling some up in the privacy of your own home.
Mississippi
Adventurous eaters in Mississippi should be forewarned — selling the meat of a cat for food is definitely not legal. We think felines throughout the state would agree, that's a good one to follow.
Missouri
You're definitely in the minority if you still have a milk man delivering jugs to your door; but those who live in St. Louis should warn the man that running while on duty is off limits.
Montana
The law in Salisbury, MT states that pop bottles are not to be thrown on the ground. In case you're a litter bug, you should know that this is looked down on in other states, too.
Nebraska
Everybody loves donuts, but the state of Nebraska is no fan of donut holes. The law in Lehigh forbids them from being sold at all!
Nevada
If your bank account is suffering from buying one too many rounds for your squad, Nevada might be the place for you. The city of Nyala had made it against the law to buy drinks for more than three people at any one point during the day.
New Hampshire
The city of Claremont, NH is not down with you hosting any spooky soirées in the graveyard. It's illegal to get drunk or picnic in the cemetery here.
New Jersey
New Jersey lawmakers are surprisingly strict about table manners — the law states that you shall not slurp your soup. It makes us wonder ... does ramen count?
New Mexico
If you're trying to be thrifty by packing your own lunch, don't go parading it down Main Street in Las Cruces, NM, where carrying a lunchbox is outlawed.
New York
We've seen concertgoers do some wacky things in New York, but the city of Greene has put its foot down when it comes to a very specific action during the show — eating peanuts and walking backwards on the sidewalks ... ?
North Carolina
Bingo players aren't necessarily known to be a rambunctious crowd, but the state of North Carolina seems to think they have the potential to be. Here, serving alcohol at a bingo game is not allowed.
North Dakota
Apparently North Dakota is a place where Oktoberfest celebrations go to die. In this state, beer and pretzels cannot legally be served at the same time in any bar or restaurant.
Ohio
Breakfast cereal is a touchy subject in the city of Columbus, OH. Stores apparently cannot sell Corn Flakes on Sundays here, so stock up ahead of time or you might just have to go with Frosted Flakes instead.
Oklahoma
Taking a bite out of another person's hamburger will not be tolerated in the state of Oklahoma, which is something we can definitely get behind—that's just plain rude.
Oregon
There must be a few too many Salt & Straw addicts in Oregon. That's the only way we can explain the law that states that ice cream may not be eaten on Sunday—just about the saddest law we've ever heard.
Pennsylvania
If you were considering cozying up to sleep on top of a refrigerator—an outdoor refrigerator, no less—you can forget about it, thanks to a Pennsylvania law that outlaws it.
Rhode Island
Kudos to you if you can track down an old-school trolley to ride in Rhode Island. But if you do, you definitely should not throw pickle juice on it, or you might run the risk of getting into trouble with the law.
South Carolina
The South Carolina city of Spartanburg has no tolerance for people eating watermelon, but as long as you're not in the Magnolia Street cemetery, you should be good to dig in.
South Dakota
There's no shame in having the ability to fall asleep virtually anywhere, but South Dakota residents are strictly forbidden from doing so inside a cheese factory.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, what's considered legal might be more surprising than what's outlawed—here, you're free to gather and consume roadkill for dinner if your heart desires.
Texas
Don't you dare go milking someone else's cow in Texas. You'll be breaking the law and have to live with the fact that you're a dairy thief.
Utah
Strong bones are of the utmost importance to Utah residents. It's actually against the law to not drink milk here, so you might as well have a glass before you get in trouble.
Vermont
In Vermont, butter is apparently not something to mess around with. Colored margarine isn't an acceptable substitute in the state's restaurants, unless it's clearly announced in 2-inch lettering on the menu.
Virginia
Richmond, VA residents can't leave their diner tab to luck thanks to a law that makes it illegal to flip a coin to see who pays for coffee.
Washington
In Washington, it's been decided that attaching vending machines to a utility pole is off-limits without prior consent, so you'll just have to track down your snacks elsewhere.
West Virginia
If you come across a critter that's had an unfortunate run-in with traffic, West Virginia law wants you to know that you're welcome to take it home and cook it up for supper. Free meat!
Wisconsin
Cheese deserves a leading role in the lives of all Wisconsin residents according to state law—it's even been made illegal to serve apple pie in public without the addition of a slice of cheese on top.
Wyoming
Wyoming law states that drinking should be reserved for après-ski. Skiing under the influence of alcohol is actually illegal in the state.
You might be guilty of some illegal eating.