Why is maggot cheese illegal?
William Burgess
Updated on April 02, 2026
Why is maggot cheese illegal?
Casu marzu is registered as a traditional product of Sardinia and therefore is locally protected. Still, it has been deemed illegal by the Italian government since 1962 due to laws that prohibit the consumption of food infected by parasites.
What is the most disgusting cheese?
Casu martzu (Sardinian pronunciation: [ˈkazu ˈmaɾtsu]; literally ‘rotten/putrid cheese’), sometimes spelled casu marzu, and also called casu modde, casu cundídu and casu fràzigu in Sardinian, is a traditional Sardinian sheep milk cheese that contains live insect larvae (maggots).
Is casu marzu safe to eat?
It’s an Italian cheese that’s prepared specially to turn into breeding grounds for maggots. While casu marzu may be described as a fermented Pecorino cheese, it’s actually decomposing. It’s said that the cheese is safe to eat as long as the maggots are still living.
What does casu marzu taste like?
The cheese is left in a dark hut for about two to three months so the fly eggs can hatch into larvae. As the larvae eat the rotting cheese, it passes through their bodies and the excretions give the cheese a distinct flavor and texture. The robust Casu Marzu flavor is said to taste akin to that of a ripe gorgonzola.
Where does casu marzu come from?
Fly larvae cheese: Known as casu marzu, this cheese hails from Sardinia and is completely forbidden here. Because of its status as a traditional food, the cheese managed to maintain its legal status within the European Union.
Is breast milk cheese a thing?
Yes, it is possible to make cheese with breast milk. Although, it’s certainly not a frequently attempted endeavor or widely accepted appetizer option. In 2010 renowned restauranteur and chef Daniel Angerer made waves and headlines when he posted a recipe for breast milk cheese on his blog.
Is casu marzu delicious?
Casu marzu is a strong spicy cheese with a bitter undertone that lingers in the mouth. Although its flavor is unique, people compare it to ripe gorgonzola, only a more intense version. Its texture is remarkably creamy and soft with a distinct oozy quality.
Where can you eat casu marzu?
Sardinia
For residents of Sardinia, Italy’s second-largest island, casu marzu (literally “rotten cheese”) is much more than a culinary curiosity—it’s part of their cultural heritage. The sheep’s milk cheese gets its flavor and texture thanks to live maggots, who eat the cheese, digest it, and then…
Why is Morbier banned?
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.