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The 50 Craziest State Food Laws

You might be guilty of some illegal eating.

Headshot of Hannah DoolinBy Hannah Doolin
Football themed burgers on sale at Gazprom Neft filling station
Sergei Bobylev//Getty Images

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 silly 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?

1

Alabama

Roundup Saloon
Smith Collection/Gado//Getty Images

In Mobile, AL, it is illegal for anyone to "operate any open saloon within the city or its police jurisdiction." Sorry, cowboy!

2

Alaska

Bull moose spar in snow in Colorado
Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images//Getty Images

In the city of Fairbanks, AK, feeding any alcoholic beverage to a moose is a very serious offense. Probably best to keep large, wild animals sober, anyway.

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3

Arizona

Raw turkey
Tramper2//Getty Images

In Arizona it's illegal to hunt a bird, fish, or other mammal and "knowingly permit an edible portion to go to waste."

4

Arkansas

Huge Sandwich Horizontal
John Komar

In Little Rock, you better not get caught honking your car horn at a sandwich shop after 9 p.m. Maybe deli meats need their beauty rest, too?

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5

California

Summer in Berlin
picture alliance//Getty Images

People in Carmel were apparently prohibited from eating or selling ice cream on public streets—until Clint Eastwood became mayor in 1987 and repealed the silly law.

6

Colorado

Orange County Register Archive
MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images//Getty Images

This one makes total sense: It's illegal to drink before riding a horse in Colorado. It's considered a non-motorized vehicle.

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7

Connecticut

Pickled green gherkins in a bowl on a wooden table
IgorGolovnov//Getty Images

Connecticut's most famous food law is actually a myth: Despite what you've heard, there is no law that a pickle must bounce to qualify as our beloved salty snack.

8

Deleware

Photo to illustrate new products, like orange juice and margarine, that lower you cholesterol.
Ricardo DeAratanha//Getty Images

In Delaware, it's illegal for restaurants to serve margarine unless they have a sign warning customers that it's not actually butter.

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9

Florida

The Prince Of Wales And The Duchess Of Cornwall Visit Swiss Cottage Farmers' Market
WPA Pool//Getty Images

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.

10

Georgia

FRANCE-WEATHER-FEATURE
LOIC VENANCE//Getty Images

Not that you'd ever want to, but just in case: Putting an ice cream cone in your back pocket on Sundays is illegal in Georgia. OK!

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11

Hawaii

Wine Tourism In Champagne
David Silverman//Getty Images

You used to have to leave your double-fisting habit at home if you're heading to Hawaii, because it used to be illegal to have more than one alcoholic drink in front of you at a time. It's since been repealed.

12

Idaho

Head, Toy, Still life photography, Skull, Plant, Still life, Animation, Ceramic, Action figure, Fictional character,
Courtesy of Walt Disney World

We're actually OK with this law: You cannot eat another person's flesh unless it's for survival! Good to know!

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13

Illinois

Friends toasting with wine outdoors
Image Source/Zero Creatives//Getty Images

If you're a culinary student in Illinois, and you're under 21, you can sip alcoholic beverages...you just have to spit them out after.

14

Indiana

Young organic garden garlic in row over white marble background. Flat lay. space
REDA&CO//Getty Images

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.

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15

Iowa

Alexandria, Virginia, scenics
Robert Alexander//Getty Images

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.

16

Kansas

Florida, Miami, man at vending machines
Jeff Greenberg//Getty Images

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.

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17

Kentucky

Food, Egg yolk, Egg white, Ingredient, Meyer lemon, Dish, Cuisine, Lemon, Fruit, Produce,
Getty Images

If you don't like what a public speaker has to say in Kentucky, try to contain yourself. But if you can't, you should know that the law that throwing eggs at them could lead to a fine or land you in prison for up to a year has been repealed.

18

Louisiana

keto sheet pan pizza
Charlie Gillette

Trying to play a prank on your friend by ordering surprise pizzas to be delivered to their house? In Louisiana, that cheesy ploy could get you slapped with a $500 fine!

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19

Maine

Dunkin' Caramel Apple Croissant Donut
Dunkin' Donuts

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.

20

Maryland

Fine Weather in Estoril on New Year's Eve Day
Horacio Villalobos//Getty Images

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.

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