What is a German “Überraschungsei,” and why is it banned in the US?

An Überraschungsei (“surprise egg”) is a hollow chocolate egg with a small toy sealed inside — Überraschung means “surprise,” Ei means “egg.” Made by Ferrero, the Italian company behind Kinder, it’s a fixture of German childhood known by its German name (or the short “Ü-Ei”), handed out at parties exactly like in this clip, where a parent gives every kid at the table their own egg.

In the US, these eggs are illegal to import: the FDA bans any candy with a non-edible object embedded inside it, under a 1938 food-safety law, over choking risk. Bringing one through customs can mean confiscation and a fine of up to $2,500 — which makes the Überraschungsei one of the few pieces of everyday German culture that literally cannot cross the border intact.