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27 American Foods That Other Countries Won’t Touch – And You Shouldn’t Either

In a bold move that’s raising eyebrows across the food industry, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is poised to shake up America’s food regulations under the incoming Trump administration. The controversial figure, known for his anti-establishment views, plans to dismantle entire departments of the FDA and radically transform how American food products are regulate.

Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” initiative takes particular aim at common food additives and ingredients that are already banned in other countries, highlighting the stark difference between U.S. and European food safety standards. 

Below are foods with ingredients we should not be ingesting, proving more food regulation is needed. Other countries have either changed the recipes or banned these food items altogether.

Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew
Mike Prosser – Mountain Dew / Flickr

Mountain Dew’s bright color comes from Yellow 5 (tartrazine), a synthetic dye linked to hyperactivity in children. Many countries like Japan and the EU restrict or require warnings for it. Additionally, brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in Mountain Dew has been banned in the EU due to potential health risks, including memory and skin issues​.

Skittles

Skittles
Mike Mozart – Skittles / Flickr

The artificial dyes in Skittles—Yellow 5 and Yellow 6—have raised concerns due to potential links with hyperactivity and even carcinogenic effects in animal studies. Some European countries require a warning label or have banned these dyes altogether​. Others use natural colorings from spices, vegetables, and fruits. 

Farmed Salmon

Salmon
Gwen  – Salmon / Flickr

Farmed salmon in the U.S. is often colored with synthetic astaxanthin to give it a pink hue. This artificial colorant is banned in countries like Australia due to its potential impact on eye health​.

Frosted Flakes

Frosted Flakes Cereal
Mike Mozart – Frosted Flakes Cereal / Flickr

The primary ingredient that makes Frosted Flakes restricted in some countries is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene). This additive is used as a preservative to maintain freshness and prevent rancidity.  

While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers BHT safe for consumption, many other countries, particularly in Europe and Japan, have stricter regulations and have banned its use in food products due to potential health concerns. Some studies have linked BHT to various health issues, including cancer and organ damage.

Little Debbie Swiss Rolls

Little Debbie Swiss Rolls
Selena N. B. H. – Little Debbie Swiss Rolls / Flickr

Little Debbie Swiss Rolls are restricted in some countries due to the presence of artificial colors like Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Red 40. These dyes have been linked to potential health issues, especially in children, leading to stricter regulations in the EU and bans in countries like Austria and Norway.

Bread with Potassium Bromate

Wonder Bread
Mike Mozart – Wonder Bread / Flickr

Potassium bromate, a dough conditioner linked to cancer, is banned in the UK, Canada, and Brazil. In the U.S., it’s still used in some breads to improve  dough strength and bread quality.

Ritz Crackers

Ritz Crackers
Mike Mozart – Ritz Crackers / Flickr

Partially hydrogenated oils containing trans fats, linked to heart disease, have been banned or restricted in many regions. Artificial colors and flavors like Yellow 5 and Red 40, associated with potential health issues, are also more tightly regulated in countries like those in the EU. 

While specific restrictions can vary, these ingredients often contribute to limitations or unavailability of Ritz Crackers in certain markets.

Coffee-Mate Creamer

Nestle Coffee Mate Creamer
m01229 – Nestle Coffee Mate Creamer / Flickr

Coffee-Mate contains trans fats to extend shelf life. In Canada and parts of Europe, trans fats are restricted or banned due to heart health risks​.

While the US has allowed the use of these oils in food products for many years, many countries in Europe and elsewhere have banned or severely restricted their use. 

Stovetop Stuffing

man putting stove top stuffing on shelves
https://www.dvidshub.net

Stove Top Stuffing is restricted in some countries due to the presence of preservatives, specifically BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene). 

These additives are used to prevent spoilage but have been linked to potential health risks like cancer and hormone disruption. 

Doritos

Doritos
Mike Mozart – Doritos / Flickr

Artificial colors and flavors, such as Yellow 5 and Red 40, are commonly used in Doritos to enhance their appearance and taste. 

However, these additives have been linked to potential health issues, especially in children, leading to stricter regulations and bans in countries like those in the EU. 

Pop-Tarts

Pop Tarts
Mike Mozart – Pop Tarts / Flickr

Popular Pop-Tarts contain artificial dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, all of which have been restricted in Europe due to health concerns. Studies link these dyes to hyperactivity in children​.

U.S. Beef

Cargill US Beef
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Cargill US Beef / Flickr

U.S. beef is restricted in many countries due to the use of growth hormones, particularly ractopamine.

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers these hormones safe, many other countries have banned them due to concerns about potential health risks, such as cardiovascular issues. The European Union, China, and several other countries have implemented bans on U.S. beef containing these hormones.

Chewing Gum with BHA

Orbit Sugarfree Gum
Astronomy Humor – Orbit Sugarfree Gum / Flickr

Some U.S. gum contains butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), banned in the EU and Japan due to links to cancer. 

BHA is used as an antioxidant to prolong shelf life, but it has raised health concerns due to its classification as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” by the National Toxicology Program.

Instant Noodles with TBHQ

Maruchan Instant Lunch
Mike Mozart – Maruchan Instant Lunch / Flickr

Tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) is a preservative in instant noodles, linked to neurological issues in high doses. Japan and several EU nations prohibit its use​.

Breakfast Cereals with GMOs

Kellogg's Ski Team USA Special Edition
Mike Mozart – Kellogg’s Ski Team USA Special Edition / Flickr

While GMO ingredients are common in U.S. cereals, many countries in Europe have strict regulations against genetically modified organisms due to environmental and health concerns​.

Yogurt with Artificial Sweeteners

Dannon Light & Fit Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt
slgckgc – Dannon Light and Fit Pumpkin Pie Greek Yogurt / Flickr

Some U.S. yogurts contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, banned in France due to concerns over potential metabolic and neurological effects​.

Boxed Mac & Cheese

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese
Mike Mozart – Kraft Macaroni and Cheese / Flickr

Boxed mac and cheese often contains Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, dyes banned in some European countries and linked to hyperactivity in children​.

Milk with rBGH

Dairy Farmers of America Milk
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Dairy Farmers of America Milk / Flickr

Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) is used in the U.S. to increase milk production, but it’s banned in Canada, Japan, and the EU over possible cancer and animal welfare concerns​.

Instant Mashed Potatoes

instant mashed potatoes in bowl
Wikimedia

Instant potatoes often contain BHA as a preservative, which is banned in the UK and Japan due to potential carcinogenic effects​.

While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers BHA safe for consumption, stricter regulations in other countries have led to its restriction or ban in food products like instant mashed potatoes.

Artificial Blueberry Flavoring

Cap'n Crunch Crunchberries
Mike Mozart – Cap’n Crunch Crunchberries / Flickr

Some U.S. “blueberry” products are made with Blue 1 and Red 40 dyes, which are banned in parts of Europe due to concerns over hyperactivity and potential carcinogenic effects​.

Jell-O and Other Gelatins

Pumpkin Spice, Jell-O
Mike Mozart – Pumpkin Spice, Jell-O / Flickr

These products often contain artificial dyes like Yellow No. 5 and Red No. 40, linked to hyperactivity in children and potential carcinogenic effects. 

These colors are banned or require warning labels in the European Union and some countries such as Norway and Austria, due to concerns about children’s health and overall food safety.

Frozen Meals with High Sodium Levels

Marie Calender's Meat Loaf and Gravy
Willis Lam – Marie Calender’s Meat Loaf and Gravy / Flickr

Certain frozen dinners in the U.S. contain excessive sodium levels, which are restricted in several European countries to mitigate high blood pressure risks​. 

While the US also acknowledges the risks of high sodium intake, its regulatory approach is less stringent, allowing for higher sodium levels in processed foods.

Ketchup with High-Fructose Corn Syrup

Heinz Ketchup
Mike Mozart – Heinz Ketchup / Flickr

High-fructose corn syrup, commonly found in U.S. ketchup, is linked to obesity and diabetes. High-fructose corn syrup is found in many other foods as well. Many European countries have limited its use in processed foods​.

Food Coloring in Pickles

Vlasic Pickles
Chris Herbert – Vlasic Pickles / Flickr

Artificial colorings like Yellow 5 in pickles are banned in parts of the EU due to links to hyperactivity and other health concerns​.

Cake Mixes with Artificial Color

Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake Mix
Matthew Bland – Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake Mix / Flickr

Cake mixes containing Red 40 and Yellow 5 are restricted in parts of Europe due to the health effects of artificial dyes​.

Chicken with Chlorine

Perdue Chicken Products
Ser Amantio di Nicolao – Perdue Chicken Products / Wikimedia Commons

U.S. poultry may be washed in chlorine to eliminate bacteria, a practice banned in the EU as a potential health risk​. The method has raised alarms about its implications for food safety. While currently it is estimated that just 5% of US processing plants are still using this process – there are other antimicrobial treatments being used including PAA, CPC, and organic acid rinses. 

Maraschino Cherries with Red 40

Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
Ilikefood – Luxardo Maraschino Cherries / Wikimedia Commons

Most maraschino cherries contain Red 40, which is restricted in parts of Europe due to links to hyperactivity and other health concerns. The use of artificial dyes in food products remains a controversial topic.

These foods reveal major differences in how countries handle food safety and ingredient approval. While the U.S. FDA deems certain additives safe in limited quantities, other countries prioritize precaution, resulting in bans or strict labeling. Awareness is key, so reading labels and choosing alternatives can help you decide what’s best for you and your health.

Vegan Protein Sources To Replace Meat

vegan protein sources that are not meat
Kind Hive

Meat brings some health benefits, but there are some downsides too. If you want to cut back on the meat intake – but still get all the goodness it brings, here are a list of vegan protein sources that will help you. 

Vegan Buddha Bowls That Will Fill Your Belly

couscous buddha bowl
Through the Fibro Fog

Try getting away from the processed foods that are harming your health and trade them in for these delicious vegan buddha bowls. Filling, healthy, and surprisingly tasty – these will get you feeling good. Your body will thank you. 

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