Did you know that several foods popular in America are banned in some other countries? Usually, this is because of chemicals or food production standards that aren’t considered acceptable in those countries. We’ve compiled a list of 10 of those foods and what they’re banned. Some might surprise you!
Arby’s Sourdough Breakfast Bread, Croissants, and French Toast Sticks
These popular products contain azodicarbonamide as a dough conditioner and whitening agent. Because of concerns that it might be carcinogenic (can cause cancer), its use is declining in America, but it’s completely banned in Europe.
Chlorinated Chicken
To reduce the spread of diseases like salmonella, chicken in the U.S. is washed in chlorine during processing. The United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) believe this practice promotes unsanitary farming practices. Hence, it’s illegal there, and chlorinated chicken is not on the market.
Coffee-mate
Trans fats (once common in partially hydrogenated oils) have been linked to heart disease. Officially, the U.S. banned them in 2018, but they’re still around in some products like Coffee-mate. European countries that have banned them include Austria, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. So no Coffee-mate in those countries.
Farm-Raised Salmon
American farm-raised salmon are fed a petrochemical called astaxanthin. It’s what gives these farm-raised salmon their color. Australia and New Zealand ban this petrochemical, so the only U.S. salmon you can buy there is wild-caught salmon.
Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies
You can’t share breakfast with Tony the Tiger or Snap, Crackle, and Pop in the EU and Japan. That’s because these cereals contain a flavor enhancer called BHT. Studies into whether it is carcinogenic have turned out inconclusive so far, but those nations aren’t taking chances and have banned the substance.
Gatorade
You see this popular sports drink just about everywhere in America. It’s even become a tradition for the winning Super Bowl coach to be treated to a Gatorade bath. In the EU, though, it’s banned for infants and children because of the artificial colors Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Austria and Norway ban it entirely.
Little Debbie Swiss Rolls
If you grew up in America, you might have looked forward to raiding the pantry for these treats every day after school. Children in some European countries have limited to no opportunity to do that. The cake treats have the food dyes Yellow 5 and Red 40 in them, and they can cause adverse effects in children. Austria and Norway ban the Swiss Rolls entirely. In other EU countries, they have to carry warning labels on the packaging. The dyes themselves are banned in foods for infants and young children.
Mountain Dew
This popular soda has an oil called brominated vegetable oil (BOV) that contains bromine, which builds up in the body and has the potential to cause memory loss and to contribute to skin and nerve problems. Japan and the EU have banned BOV.
Skittles
These colorful candies contain Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40 food dyes. Like Gatorade and Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, they’re banned in Austria. In other EU countries, products with these dyes have to have warning labels, and they’re forbidden in foods intended for infants and young children.
Stove Top Stuffing
Stove Top is a longtime favorite in America with preservatives called BHA and BHT. Due to suspicions that they’re carcinogenic and can interfere with blood clotting, Japan, the UK, and several EU countries have outlawed these preservatives.
