19 Foods Banned Abroad, But Not in America
America’s eating habits are under scrutiny due to numerous popular American dishes packed with potentially harmful ingredients that have led to bans in other nations. Explore 19 American favorites that have been rejected worldwide.
1. Froot Loops
Banned in France, Austria, Norway, and Finland, Kellogg’s Froot Loops contain harmful food dyes like yellow 5 and red 40, linked to inhibiting cell development. Additionally, the sugary cereal includes soybean, cottonseed oil, and hydrogenated coconut, all deemed unsafe in the mentioned countries.
2. US chicken
Banned in the European Union due to the practice of chlorine washing, American chicken is treated with a chlorine solution to reduce contamination risks. The EU questions the necessity of such treatment, emphasizing the importance of safety standards throughout the food chain.
3. Mountain Dew
Banned in the European Union and Japan, Mountain Dew contains Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO), a food additive with bromine found in flame retardants. Consumption of bromine can lead to health issues such as headaches and impaired coordination. Despite PepsiCo’s announcement to remove BVO in 2014, Mountain Dew continued to contain it until 2020.
4. US milk
Banned in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and the EU, milk produced in the US often involves cows fed with a synthetic growth hormone called rBGH. This hormone, approved by the FDA in 1993, has been linked to increased levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IFG-1) in milk, posing health risks like breast cancer. While the practice is decreasing in the US, concerns over hormone-enriched milk persist.
rBGH-Free Milk is Recommended: It is highly advised to choose organic milk or a product labeled as “does not contain rBGH.” Farmed Salmon: Banned in Austria and New Zealand due to concerns over farmed salmon, which are raised in crowded cages and fed with processed fish feed containing chemicals harmful to humans. Maraschino Cherries: Banned in Norway, Finland, France, Austria, and the U.K due to the use of artificial food dye Red #40, linked to health issues. US Apples: Banned in the European Union for the use of diphenylamine, a potentially carcinogenic compound to prevent browning. Little Debbie Swiss Rolls: Banned in Norway and Austria because they contain carcinogenic food dyes yellow 5 and red 40. US Breakfast Cereal Brands: Banned in Japan and the European Union for containing Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a carcinogenic flavor enhancer. Instant Mashed Potatoes: Banned in the Europe Union, Japan, and Australia.
Certainly! Here’s the rewritten text:
Certainly, there are concerning issues with certain food products. Instant Mashed Potatoes like Hungry Jack are known to contain Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), a preservative also used in rubber and wax food packaging. This is not an ingredient you would want in your body, especially considering its potential link to cancer. While it is widely used in the U.S., countries like Japan, Australia, and the European Union have banned its use due to safety concerns.
Another example is prepackaged ground beef in the U.S., which often contains pink slime as a filler to reduce fat content. Pink slime is made using ammonia gas, an antimicrobial agent not suitable for consumption. Despite being approved by the FDA for human consumption in the U.S., it is banned in the European Union due to health concerns.
Ritz Crackers are banned in several European countries like Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark due to high levels of sodium and hydrogenated cottonseed oil, a trans fat linked to cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, US pork is banned in the European Union, Russia, and China because of the use of ractopamine, an additive associated with health issues in animals and humans.
Coffee-mate is banned in Austria, Hungary, and multiple Scandinavian countries due to the presence of hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils, which are packed with trans fats. Studies have shown that trans fats can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.
Nestle’s Drumstick ice cream is banned in the European Union for containing carrageenan, a seaweed-derived thickening agent linked to inflammation and potentially cancer. It’s important to be mindful of these ingredients and opt for healthier alternatives.
Banned Products: Why They Are Not Allowed in Certain Countries
1. Skittles
Banned in: Norway and the European Union
Reason for ban: Skittles, a beloved childhood treat, contains artificial colors yellow 5 and yellow 6 that are linked to hyperactivity and allergic reactions in children. Additionally, the candy includes titanium dioxide, classified as possibly carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. As a result, Europeans will now be enjoying the less vibrant Smarties.
2. Hawaiian Papaya
Banned in: the European Union
Reason for ban: Genetically engineered to resist the ringspot virus, Hawaiian Papaya faces scrutiny in the EU due to concerns about the safety of genetically modified produce.
3. Twinkies
Banned in: Norway, Finland, and Austria
Reason for ban: Twinkies, a processed sponge cake, contains yellow 5 coloring associated with allergic reactions. Despite EU regulations requiring warning labels on such dyes, these countries have chosen to ban Twinkies altogether.
4. Arby’s sourdough breakfast bread, croissant, and French toast sticks
Banned in: India, the UK, the European Union
Reason for ban: Arby’s baked goods contain the whitening agent azodicarbonamide (ACA), which is deemed toxic. While the FDA permits its use in the U.S., other countries have prohibited it.
5. Stove Top stuffing
Banned in: the United Kingdom, Japan, and several European countries
Reason for ban: Kraft Stove Top stuffing contains preservatives BHA and BHT, suspected to be carcinogenic and harmful to blood clotting. Consequently, it is banned in multiple countries.
