Find Out The American Foods That Are Banned In Other Countries

Who would have thought that there are American foods that are banned in other countries? Well, you might even be surprised that a certain brand of cereal is one of them.

There is a growing awareness among Americans that several of the foods sold in the United States are subpar compared to similar foods sold in other countries.

A surprising number of the foods Americans eat are actually forbidden elsewhere.

Continue reading to find out the American foods that are banned in other countries.

COPYRIGHT_WI: Published on https://washingtonindependent.com/american-foods-that-are-banned-in-other-countries/ by Katharine Tate on 2022-03-14T09:44:23.864Z

What American Foods Are Banned In Other Countries?

Listed below are ten American foods that are banned in other countries, and you might be surprised they include fish, meat, and a fruit!

(1) Food with preservatives BHA and BHT (banned in Japan, U.K.)

The chemicals butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are added in butter spread, cereals, and chewing gums and other foods as preservatives. These food enhancers can cause cancer.

(2) Bread with potassium bromate (banned in some European countries, Canada, China)

Potassium bromate is an additive mixed in flour to make breads, cakes, and pastries. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer in France said that it could cause cancer.

(3) Processed food with food additives (banned in Austria, Norway)

Examples of food additives include artificial colors, artificial flavorings, and preservatives. These additives are found out to be toxic to human health.

(4) Meat treated with ractopamine (banned in 160 European countries, China, Russia, Taiwan)

According to the Washington-based Center for Food Safety, the animal feed additive called ractopamine could be poisonous for humans. It could also cause heart-related diseases, which makes it included in the list of American foods that are banned in other countries.

(5) Farmed salmon (banned in Australia, New Zealand)

Grain-based diets are used to raise farmed salmon. This kind of diet is completely unnatural because the salmon are being fed with genetically-engineered grains. Not only that, certain chemicals and drugs (e.g., some types of antibiotics) that are all harmful to humans are added to the grains.

(6) Dairy products and milk with rBGH (banned in Europe, Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand)

The dairy animal drug called recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) makes cows produce more milk. However, rBGH (sold in the market as “Posilac”) could cause different types of cancer in humans, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer.

(7) Genetically-engineered papaya (banned in some European countries)

The papayas from Hawaii are mostly modified genetically, and when that happens, the said process alters the natural contents of a papaya. When consumed by humans, there could be harmful effects.

That makes the delicious papaya – if genetically engineered – as one of the American foods that are banned in other countries. Too bad it’s rich in vitamins A, C, and E.

(8) Beverages with brominated vegetable oil (BVO) (banned in Europe, Japan)

BVO could badly affect the behavior of humans and could even cause reproduction-related problems.

One example of a drink that contains BVO is Mountain Dew.

(9) Chicken laced with arsenic (banned in some European countries)

The U.S. government approved the use of drugs with arsenic because they can make chickens grow faster and their meat more pinkish. When meat is pink, it means it's fresh.

Arsenic is a toxic chemical and could even cause cancer.

(10) Olestra/Olean (banned in Canada, U.K.)

The American company Procter & Gamble made a fat substitute called olestra (also referred to as olean). Olestra is now used in making fried potato strips (that’s french fries for you!) and chips.

Olestra can cause problems to the human intestines, making some of those delicious snacks containing it as those American foods that are banned in other countries.

What U.S. Food Is Banned In Europe?

When we talk about the American foods that are banned in other countries, many of the nations are members of the European Union (EU).

Comprised of 27 countries, the EU and the non-EU member countries in Europe ban these American food products:

(1) Egg & Cheese Honey Wheat Flatbread, Jimmy Dean Delights Turkey Sausage, and Pillsbury Breadsticks (brands of bread products that use the chemical azodicarbonamide that could be harmful to humans)

(2) Frosted Flakes, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Rice Krispies (cereals by Kellogg’s; they contain BHT)

(3) Hungry Jack Mashed Potatoes (these instant mashed potatoes contain ingredients that could cause cancer)

(4) Little Debbie Swiss Rolls (a brand of chocolate dessert that uses food dyes; banned by Austria and Norway)

(5) M&Ms (a candy brand that uses artificial food colorings)

(6) Post Honey Maid S'mores (a cereal brand banned in the U.K. because it contains BHT)

(7) Skittles (a candy brand banned in Norway and Sweden because they use artificial food colorings)

They are just some of the American foods that are banned in other countries, such as those across Europe.

Conclusion

These American foods that are banned in other countries are widely consumed in the U.S. even though there are health risks involved based on different scientific studies.

Well, they’re delicious and affordable in the first place.

Still, when it comes to American foods that are banned in other countries, consumers should seriously consider the warnings given by scientists and health experts.

About The Authors

Katharine Tate - I’m a native of Massachusetts, where I earned bachelor's degrees in Health, Science, Society, and Policy and Sculpture from Brandeis University. I enjoy assisting and inspiring women in all aspects of their lives, and I consider myself a partner in their OB an GYN treatment. I particularly enjoy forming relationships with young women and assisting them in determining their healthcare needs and goals. I love to travel, create metal and fiber art, cook, and spend time outside. Also, I’m fluent in both German and American Sign Language.