Americans pride themselves on having some of the most diverse food choices in the world, yet many items filling our grocery carts and dinner plates contain ingredients that other countries have deemed too risky for human consumption. While we trust the FDA to keep our food supply safe, a growing number of popular American foods contain additives, chemicals, and production methods that are banned or heavily restricted across Europe, Asia, and beyond. The stark contrast between what’s considered acceptable here versus abroad raises serious questions about our food safety standards and what we’re unknowingly putting into our bodies every day.
Artificial Food Dyes in Breakfast Cereals and Snacks
Those brightly colored breakfast cereals like Skittles, Pop-Tarts, and Gatorade are banned in the European Union because they contain dyes like yellow 5, yellow 6, and red 40. The EU banned these artificial colors after their scientific research indicated they could be harmful to health, especially to young children. Colorful breakfast cereals get their rainbow hue using additives Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40, which must contain warning labels in the European Union. They are also banned in Norway and Austria, and are permitted in the U.S. even though they are known to cause itching and hives for some. Skittles contain yellow 5 and yellow 6, both artificial food dyes found to potentially have negative side effects. Some studies found a positive relationship between yellow 5 and hyperactivity in children, while rat studies of yellow 6 found possible connections to testicular and adrenal tumors.
The science behind these bans is particularly concerning when it comes to children’s health. Research consistently shows links between artificial dyes and behavioral issues in young people. American sprinkles are banned in Great Britain and other countries as they contain erythrosine, also called FD&C Red No. 3 in the US, which makes sprinkles red but can lead to reported hyperactivity in children.
Ractopamine in American Pork Products
The use of ractopamine is banned or restricted in many countries worldwide, including the European Union, China and Russia, while it is legal in some other countries, with differing maximum residual limits (MRLs) in meat. Despite safety concerns, the U.S. pork industry feeds ractopamine to an estimated 60 percent to 80 percent of American pigs to rapidly boost growth rates. This beta-agonist drug was originally developed to treat asthma but was later adapted for livestock to increase lean muscle growth.
The health concerns surrounding ractopamine are extensive and well-documented. Ractopamine’s effects include toxicity and other exposure risks, such as behavioral changes and cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, reproductive and endocrine problems. It is also associated with high stress levels in animals, “downer” or lame animals, hyperactivity, broken limbs and death. Fed to an estimated 60 to 80 percent of pigs in the U.S. meat industry, ractopamine use has resulted in more reports of sickened or dead pigs than any other livestock drug on the market. According to FDA’s own calculations, more pigs have been adversely affected by ractopamine than by any other animal drug – more than 160,000. What makes this even more troubling is that the US produces ractopamine-free pork for export to countries that ban it, yet continues using it for domestic consumption.
Brominated Vegetable Oil in Citrus Sodas
The FDA no longer allows for the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food. In 2024, the FDA revoked its food additive regulation for BVO. The agency concluded that the intended use of BVO in food is no longer considered safe after the results of studies conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found the potential for adverse health effects in humans. However, this ban only recently took effect, and Americans have been consuming BVO for decades in popular beverages.
In the European Union, BVO has been banned from use since 2008 (it was originally banned in the UK and several other European countries in 1970). In India, standards for soft drinks have prohibited the use of BVO since 1990. In Japan, the use of BVO as a food additive has been banned since 2010. The health risks are significant: There are case reports of adverse effects associated with excessive consumption of BVO-containing products. One case reported that a man who consumed two to four liters of a soda containing BVO on a daily basis experienced memory loss, tremors, fatigue, loss of muscle coordination, headache, and ptosis of the right eyelid, as well as elevated serum chloride. In the two months it took to correctly diagnose the problem, the patient also lost the ability to walk.
Potassium Bromate in Bread Products
Potassium bromate is added to bread dough as a strengthener that creates a higher rise, reduces baking time and cost, and gives finished loaves a bright white color. But the chemical is also linked to cancer, nervous system damage, and kidney damage. Potassium bromate is banned in the United Kingdom, Canada, Peru, and many other countries, but is still ubiquitous in many American bread products including bagel chips, rolls, and even breadcrumbs.
In many countries, American-made white bread contains potassium bromate, which is used to speed up the proving and baking processes. Potassium bromate is banned in many countries due to its link to damage to the nervous system and kidneys. This additive has been particularly controversial because safer alternatives exist and are already used in other countries, yet American manufacturers continue using it to cut costs and improve appearance. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified potassium bromate as a possible human carcinogen, making its continued use in everyday bread products especially concerning.
rBGH and rBST Hormones in Dairy Products
Milk in the United States, unless marked otherwise, is treated with either rBST or rBGH, which are artificial hormones that stimulate milk production. rBGH is a manmade product meant to increase how much milk cows produce. While it is still allowed in the U.S., usage has significantly declined in recent years according to industry reports. This growth hormone is fully banned in the EU and Canada.
The concerns about these hormones extend beyond just animal welfare to potential human health impacts. These synthetic hormones can increase levels of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) in milk, which some studies have linked to increased cancer risk. In the United States, many dairy products are treated with artificial hormones like rBST or rBGH to increase milk production. The European Union has maintained its ban since 1999, citing both animal welfare concerns and potential risks to human health, yet American consumers continue to be exposed to these hormones unless they specifically purchase hormone-free products.
Trans Fats in Processed Foods
Coffee-mate, RITZ Crackers and those warm, buttery Pillsbury biscuits, are all banned in Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway and Denmark because of trans fats like partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils. Coffee-mate, RITZ Crackers, and Pillsbury biscuits find themselves on the wrong side of the law in Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark. The reason? Trans fats, specifically partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils. These countries have taken a stand against these harmful fats, associated with various health risks.
Many snack foods like crackers, cookies, and microwave popcorn are known to have trans fats. You can also find trans fats in frozen pizzas, fast food, and coffee creamer. The World Health Organization has called for the global elimination of trans fats from the food supply, recognizing their role in cardiovascular disease. While the FDA has taken steps to reduce trans fats in recent years, many products still contain them, and loopholes in labeling laws allow products with less than 0.5 grams per serving to claim “zero trans fats” on their labels.
BHT and BHA Preservatives in Cereals and Snacks
Wheat Thins and popular cereals like Frosted Flakes face restrictions in the United Kingdom, Japan, and parts of Europe due to the inclusion of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a chemical used as a flavor enhancer. The concerns surrounding BHT’s potential health impacts prompt these countries to prohibit its use in food products. Cereals like Froot Loops, Frosted Flakes, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Rice Krispies don’t only contain banned food colorants, their ingredient lists also include BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), an additive that’s used to extend shelf life – and may be carcinogenic.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is an additive that keeps the fat in certain food products from going bad on the shelf. While it may keep your shelf-stable foods good, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) says that BHA may be a carcinogen to humans. Although BHA is still used in some U.S. foods, it’s reportedly banned in the UK and Japan. These preservatives are classified as possible human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, yet they remain common ingredients in American breakfast cereals, snack crackers, and chewing gum. The irony is that many of these same companies produce versions of their products without these preservatives for sale in countries where they’re banned.
Azodicarbonamide in Bread and Baked Goods
The fast-food chain uses the chemical azodicarbonamide as a whitening agent and dough conditioner in its baked goods. Although its use is decreasing in the United States because of concerns that it is a carcinogen, the FDA still permits it. It is banned in Europe. Some U.S.-based foods like Jimmy Dean Delights Turkey Sausage, Egg & Cheese Honey Wheat Flatbread Sandwiches and Arby’s croissants use a whitening agent called azodicarbonamide (ADA), which can also be found in your favorite yoga mats. Although still approved by the FDA, ADA has been banned in Europe, and the World Health Organization says that ADA has been linked to skin irritation and respiratory problems in people who were exposed to large amounts of this chemical, such as factory workers.
The fact that this chemical is also used in yoga mats and shoe soles highlights the absurdity of its presence in food. Singapore actually imposes heavy fines and jail time for anyone caught using azodicarbonamide in food products. The compound can break down into potentially carcinogenic compounds when heated, making its use in baked goods particularly troublesome. While some major chains like Subway have removed it from their products following public pressure, it remains in many American bread products and fast-food items.
Farm-Raised Salmon with Synthetic Additives
Salmon is a favourite in many American households, but the farm-raised variety in the U.S. is often fed astaxanthin, a synthetic chemical that gives the fish its pink colour. This additive is banned in countries like Australia and New Zealand due to health concerns. Salmon is alright in other countries as long as it isn’t farm-raised. Salmon that have been farm-raised are fed chemicals to make them the bright pinkish-red that we love so much. They’re also given a ton of antibiotics and other drugs that aren’t safe for humans.
Wild salmon gets its pink color naturally from eating krill and shrimp, but farm-raised salmon fed on pellets would be gray without artificial coloring. While Astaxanthin has many antioxidant properties and helps protect cells from damage, it is also associated with low-blood pressure and caution is advised in patients taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that may lower blood pressure already. The European Union allows astaxanthin but with stricter regulations and lower maximum levels than the United States. The bigger concern is the cocktail of antibiotics and other drugs used in American salmon farming that can accumulate in the fish tissue and potentially affect human health.
High Fructose Corn Syrup in Processed Foods and Beverages
This sweetener – made from pure fructose and sugar – is linked to a variety of ailments like obesity and Type 2 diabetes. It’s found in everything from beverages to cereals and ice cream. While it isn’t banned specifically in any country, the U.K. and some European countries have restricted the products and placed them under quota limitations. High fructose corn syrup has become ubiquitous in American processed foods, appearing in products where you wouldn’t expect it, from bread to salad dressings.
The metabolic effects of high fructose corn syrup differ significantly from regular sugar, as it bypasses normal satiety signals and is processed directly by the liver, potentially contributing to fatty liver disease. Many European countries have imposed heavy taxes on high fructose corn syrup or implemented quotas that make it economically unviable for manufacturers to use. Mexico, despite being a major corn producer, has largely phased out high fructose corn syrup in favor of cane sugar due to health concerns. The stark difference in obesity and diabetes rates between countries that heavily use HFCS and those that don’t provides compelling evidence for these restrictions.
You might be surprised to discover just how different your favorite American foods are when you travel abroad. The same brand names often use completely different formulations to comply with stricter international food safety standards. This raises an important question: if safer alternatives exist and are already being used in other markets, why do American consumers continue to be exposed to potentially harmful additives? What do you think about it? Tell us in the comments.
