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Ackee -

Ackee, Jamaica's national fruit, contains hypoglycin A when unripe, a toxin that can cause vomiting sickness. If not prepared correctly, it can lead to hypoglycemic coma or death.

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Cassava -

Cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides, which release cyanide when improperly processed. Without proper preparation, this root vegetable can cause cyanide poisoning, leading to nausea, vomiting, or even death.

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Fugu (pufferfish) -

Fugu is a Japanese delicacy, but it contains tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin. Only licensed chefs can prepare it due to the risk of accidental poisoning, which can be fatal.

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Rhubarb leaves -

While rhubarb stalks are safe to eat, the leaves contain oxalic acid and anthraquinone glycosides, both toxic compounds. 

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Sannakji (live octopus) -

Sannakji is a Korean dish featuring live octopus. The tentacles can still move after being cut and pose a choking hazard if not chewed thoroughly.

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Hákarl (fermented shark) -

Icelandic Hákarl, made from fermented Greenland shark, contains high levels of ammonia. If not properly fermented, it can cause food poisoning, respiratory issues, or stomach irritation due to its toxicity.

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Blood clams -

Blood clams harvested from contaminated waters can carry dangerous bacteria like hepatitis and typhoid, making them a health risk. Proper cooking is essential to avoid foodborne illness from these shellfish.

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Pangium edule -

The seeds of Pangium edule contain hydrogen cyanide, a deadly toxin. Native to Southeast Asia, they must be fermented or processed to remove the toxin before consumption.

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Elderberries -

The uncooked berries, leaves, bark, and roots of the elderberry plant contain lectin and cyanide, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, cooking the berries and seeds properly will eliminate the cyanide.

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Dragon's Breath (chili pepper) -

Dragon’s Breath, the world's hottest pepper with 2.48 million Scoville units, surpasses ghost peppers and Carolina Reapers. Consuming it can cause throat burns, airway closure, and even anaphylactic shock.

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Red kidney beans -

Raw kidney beans contain phytohemagglutinin, a toxin that causes severe nausea, vomiting, and digestive distress. To make them safe, they must be thoroughly cooked at high temperatures to neutralize the toxin.

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Nutmeg -

Nutmeg, when consumed in large quantities, contains myristicin, a compound that can cause hallucinations, nausea, and seizures. In extreme cases, overdoses can result in death due to poisoning or organ failure.

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Casu martzu (maggot cheese) -

Casu Martzu is a Sardinian cheese deliberately infested with live maggots. These larvae survive digestion, possibly causing infections in the intestines. Consuming it without removing the maggots can cause serious health issues.

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Starfruit -

Starfruit contains neurotoxins that can be fatal for people with kidney disease. The toxins can cause severe confusion, seizures, or even death. Healthy individuals can safely consume it in moderation.

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Raw honey -

Raw honey contains botulism spores, which can be deadly for infants under the age of one. The spores produce a neurotoxin that can lead to paralysis and even death if consumed by babies.

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Shellfish -

Shellfish like oysters and clams can harbor harmful algae, leading to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and other illnesses. When consumed contaminated, shellfish can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and death.

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Monkey brains -

Eating monkey brains, often consumed as a delicacy in certain cultures, carries the risk of contracting prion diseases like Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a fatal neurodegenerative disease. 

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Fesikh (fermented fish) -

Fesikh is a traditional Egyptian dish made from fermented fish. If improperly prepared, it can harbor dangerous bacteria that cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness that affects the nervous system.

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Raw cashews -

Raw cashews contain urushiol, a toxic oil also found in poison ivy. Eating raw cashews without roasting them can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, or, in severe cases, respiratory distress.

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Green potatoes -

Green potatoes contain solanine, a toxic compound that develops when potatoes are exposed to light. Consuming green potatoes can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

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African bullfrog -

In Namibia, adventurous eaters may consume the entire frog, but its skin and organs contain toxins that can cause kidney failure if not prepared correctly.

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Unpasteurized milk -

Unpasteurized milk may contain harmful bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli, leading to foodborne illnesses. It's especially risky for pregnant women, children, and the elderly.

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Unpasteurized cheese -

Like unpasteurized milk, unpasteurized cheese also carries the risk of bacterial contamination. Pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to these risks.

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Raw meat and seafood -

Consuming raw fish or meat like sushi or steak tartare increases the risk of bacterial infections and parasites such as E. coli or salmonella, leading to severe illness and foodborne infections.

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Silver-stripe blaasop -

Related to the pufferfish, the silver-stripe blaasop contains tetrodotoxin, a highly toxic substance. If improperly prepared, this fish can cause paralysis, respiratory failure, and even death from poisoning.

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Death Cap mushroom -

The Death Cap mushroom is among the deadliest fungi. Containing potent toxins like amatoxins, it can cause liver and kidney failure. Symptoms may take hours to appear, making it deadly.

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Alfalfa sprouts -

Alfalfa sprouts, though nutritious, are often contaminated with harmful bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella. Due to their warm, moist growing conditions, they pose a significant risk of foodborne illness.

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Lutefisk -

Lutefisk is a Scandinavian dish made from dried fish soaked in lye. If not properly rinsed, the high levels of lye can cause severe chemical burns or digestive problems, even leading to death.

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Cherry pits -

Cherry pits, along with other stone fruit seeds, contain amygdalin, a compound that releases cyanide when metabolized. Eating too many can cause cyanide poisoning.

Sources: (Condé Nast Traveler) (BBC) (Business Insider) 

See also: Healthy foods that can be harmful if you eat too much

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