Have you ever wondered why the American foods you like are unavailable in Europe? It all comes down to food safety. Europe’s food safety is really strict and several American foods banned and will never see the light of day. Let’s look at the following 10 foods that are banned and why.
10. Milk with rBST/rBGH
Milk in the USA can contain recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBST/rBGH), which is used to increase milk production. Europe has banned these hormones due to concerns about cancer and other health risks. European countries prefer to avoid these synthetic hormones altogether. The good news is many major retailers and brands, including Walmart and Starbucks, have committed to selling only rBST-free milk.
9. Tostitos Salsa con Queso
Tostitos Salsa con Queso contains Yellow 5 and 6 dyes derived from petroleum. These dyes are linked to hyperactivity and allergic reactions, especially in children. In several European countries, these dyes are not outright banned but must carry warning labels indicating potential adverse effects on children.
8. Drug-Treated Meat
In the USA, pork and beef often contain ractopamine, which makes animals leaner. This drug is banned in 160 countries, including all of Europe, due to its potential impact on the cardiovascular system and overall health. Ractopamine, the drug used in US pork and beef, was originally developed as an asthma medication for humans before being repurposed for livestock to promote leaner meat.
7. Pop-Tarts (Certain Flavors)
Some flavors of Pop-Tarts, such as Blueberry and Wildberry, contain Blue dye. This dye is linked to hyperactivity and other health concerns and is banned in several European countries. Blue one dye is not outright banned in Europe but requires a warning label.
6. Farm-Raised Salmon
Farm-raised salmon in the USA often contain artificial coloring and chemicals to enhance their color and growth. In the USA, they often receive color-enhancing additives to make their flesh pink, mimicking the natural color of wild salmon. These substances are banned in Europe due to concerns about their long-term health effects, including cancer risks. In Europe, farm-raised salmon must meet strict organic standards prohibiting such additives.
5. Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
Unfortunately this mac and cheese contains artificial dyes, Yellow Five and Yellow 6, linked to children’s behavioral issues. These dyes are not outright banned but must carry warning labels in Europe. Due to consumer pressure, Kraft began offering a dye-free version of its famous macaroni and cheese in 2015. This version is colored naturally with spices such as paprika and turmeric instead of Yellow 5 and Yellow 6.
4. Little Debbie Swiss Rolls
These snacks are made with artificial Yellow 5 and Red 40 dyes, which are associated with dangers such as hyperactivity and carcinogenic impacts. Recent research demonstrated that dyes in foods and drinks are not for the same to be highly limited, but warning labeling highlighting potential risks to children may be required in Europe.
3. Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes
Kellog’s Corn Flakes, like the Frosted Flakes, contain Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), a preservative banned in Europe due to its possible health risks. In some studies, BHT was proven to affect health unfavorably. For this reason, BHT is forbidden in many countries. Producers such as General Mills have already started withdrawing BHT from their cereals, giving the market health and regulation-centric options by opting for safer alternatives. However, this finding is not the same for all brands.
2. Skittles
Skittles are similar to Green and Blue, which are linked to attention deficit in kids. This is already illegal in Norway and Sweden, and merchandise containing this dye must have a warning label in European countries, just to mention a few examples. In some parts of Europe, Skittles are produced using fruits and vegetables as natural coloring agents, which may differentiate the flavor and appearance from their American counterparts.
1. Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew has something called Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO), a chemical that has really bad effects on health, such as causing skin problems and memory loss. The European market rejected BVO, making this popular American soda version unavailable in European markets. Even though PepsiCo decided in 2014 to remove BVO from Mountain Dew, the example of the less restrictive food safety rules shows Europe doesn’t mess around when it comes to food safety.
