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MainefoodRepealed

You cannot add tomatoes to clam chowder.

Funny Rating:★★★★
Added: 2026/3/18

The Law

While not a literal criminal statute enforced by police, a legendary 1939 bill introduced in the Maine legislature sought to make adding tomatoes to clam chowder an offense against the state. The culinary purity law was a direct attack on Manhattan-style chowder, affirming that true New England chowder must only be made with a cream or milk base. Though the bill was largely a humorous PR stunt, natives still consider tomatoes in chowder a deep moral failing.

Source & Citation

Code/Statute: 1939 Maine Legislative Record (Unofficial)
Maine Historical Legislative Proposals

Tags:

#me#seafood#chowder#food-crimes