No Thanks, America
It comes as no surprise that the US isn't best known for healthy eating; poor diets have contributed to a higher risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer in the country. But diet alone isn't always to blame—sometimes, it's not so much what you choose to eat that's the problem, but the hidden ingredients in those foods. Unlike other countries, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to restrict the use of certain additives, dyes, and chemicals. Curious to know what's allowed in the US but banned elsewhere? From Twinkies to pre-packaged beef and everything in between, here are 20 American drinks and eats you might enjoy every day that are actually prohibited abroad.
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1. Twinkies
Though Twinkies are America's favorite snack, these cream-filled yellow cakes are banned in Austria, Finland, and Norway. The EU (European Union) has warning labels stickered onto the boxes. Why? Because Twinkies contain artificial dyes, like yellow 5 and red 40, which are considered harmful for potentially causing behavioral changes—especially in children—and cancer.
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2. Breakfast Cereals
Despite sugary cereals being classic American breakfast staples, these boxes are considered illegal elsewhere. 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. Several countries like Japan, Norway, France, Austria, Finland, and others in the EU, have restrictions on either artificial dyes or BHT, or both.
3. Mountain Dew
Sodas like Mountain Dew are also illegal in other countries. In particular, this citrus beverage contains BVO (brominated vegetable oil), an emulsifier often used in sports and carbonated drinks to allow liquids to bind together more easily. But this ingredient can also build up in the body and cause neurological problems, hyperthyroidism, and cancer. In fact, up until July 2024, BVO was still approved for use by the FDA. The fizzy drink was also seized in the United Kingdom after a banned ingredient, calcium disodium EDTA, was found.
4. Farmed Salmon
Don't be confused—salmon is a heart-healthy food. But farm-raised salmon is a completely different thing. In the US, farmed salmon is given processed feed and injected with antibiotics, dioxins, and a synthetic chemical called astaxanthin to give the fish its reddish-orange color. These additives may cause health concerns and are banned by Australia and New Zealand.
5. Maraschino Cherries
Those vibrant red topper cherries you sometimes see on desserts and milkshakes? Delicious as you might think they are, they contain red 40, leading to their ban in several countries, such as Switzerland, Austria, France, Finland, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
6. Little Debbie Swiss Rolls
If you're craving something cakey and sweet, you might reach for Little Debbie Swiss Rolls. But you won't see them anywhere in Norway and Austria. The reason? Though these decadent cream rolls are brown and white, they contain red 40 and yellow 5—so off the shelves they go.
7. Stove Top Stuffing
Cooking up a quick dinner? Kraft Stove Top Stuffing might be something you'd reach for in your pantry. But before you place a forkful of it in your mouth, you should know that it contains the preservative BHT and a waxy chemical called BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) that's sometimes found in plastic, rubber, and glue. These two potential carcinogens are why this instant stuffing mix is banned in Japan, the United Kingdom, and other European countries.
8. Skittles
Yup—your favorite colorful candy beads are banned in countries outside the US. The reason for it might be obvious now: Skittles contain artificial dyes like yellow 5 and 6, as well as titanium dioxide, a whitening agent that could potentially damage DNA and cause cancer. Because of this, you won't be tasting the chemical rainbow in Norway, Sweden, and other European countries.
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9. Ritz Crackers
Ritz crackers make for a salty snack, but before you go for seconds, it's best you know that they contain heart-harming trans fat due to the inclusion of hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils on their ingredient list. Consuming too many snacks with trans fat significantly increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. For this reason, Ritz is banned in Austria, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Denmark.
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10. Drumstick Ice Cream
Even Drumstick frozen treats aren't safe. These ice cream cones contain an additive derived from seaweed called carrageenan, which is used to extend shelf life and give the treat its texture. But be warned: along with potentially causing inflammation of the gut, this preservative may put you at risk of developing colon cancer. It's for this reason you likely won't find it in several EU countries.
11. Coffee-Mate Creamer
For the same reason why Ritz is off the shelves in numerous countries, Nestle's Coffee-Mate creamer is also banned. It was recently under fire for containing hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils, two trans fat ingredients that can dangerously harm your cholesterol levels and heart health.
12. Arby's Baked Goods
A well-known fast-food chain in the US, Arby's sandwiches and baked goods might be a go-to for some. However, a specific chemical compound in their dough has led to its ban in Europe. The ingredient? Azodicarbonamide, or ADA for short. Often used as a "dough conditioner" or as a bleaching agent to whiten bread, this additive is also used to make the yoga mats you do your exercise on. Bon appétit!
13. Pre-Packaged Ground Beef
While shopping for beef in your local grocery store, you might not think twice about what it could be made of. After all, isn't it just beef? Actually, you might be eating LTFB—lean finely textured beef, as it's scientifically called—or in other words, pink slime. A filler made from trimmings treated with ammonia gas, it's basically processed goop, and it's no wonder why Canada and the EU have it banned.
14. US Pork
US pork isn't off the hook, either. American pigs are often given ractopamine, a livestock feed additive that's used to increase muscle mass while maintaining lean. But when this growth stimulant is passed onto us, it can cause cardiovascular stress, tremors, behavioral changes, and more harmful health effects. It's banned in approximately 160 countries worldwide, including the EU, China, Russia, and Taiwan.
15. Gatorade
Gatorade may be a popular sports drink in the US, but you likely won't find it much anywhere else, especially in European countries. Back when it used to contain BVO, consumers voiced their concerns, leading to the ingredient being taken off in 2013. But even without BVO, Gatorade contains various artificial food dyes, such as red 40 and yellow 5, that can be harmful when consumed too often and in large amounts.
16. Wheat Thins
Wheat Thins contain BHT, a preservative that scientists believe could be carcinogenic. In Canada, this ingredient isn't present at all, which goes to show that it's not necessary to add. Japan, the United Kingdom, and other countries in Europe have decided to just not take the risk, which means you won't find a box of these abroad.
17. US Chicken
You thought it's just US beef and pork that are banned? Nope—chicken is off the shelves in Europe, too, and has been since 1997. Why? Well, because US chicken routinely goes through a chlorine wash for deep cleaning. There's not enough space for the birds to safely roam, so they're usually crammed in too-small cages, which significantly increases the risk of contamination and disease. The chlorine solution makes sure there are no harmful bacteria left over. For the EU, it's not that they're against the washing process; instead, they're wary these birds will continue to be regularly raised in poor hygienic standards, and relying on a last-ditch effort isn't enough to sufficiently disinfect them.
18. US Milk
To boost milk production in cows, US farmers give their livestock a genetically engineered growth hormone called rBST (recombinant bovine somatotropin). Dairy products with rBST have higher insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and elevated IGF-1 levels have been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. Additionally, rBST use may lead to more infections and mastitis in cows. Thus, milk treated with rBST from the US is banned in Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU.
19. Fresca
For the same reason that Mountain Dew is off the shelves in Japan and the EU, Fresca is also not for sale. However, this was because these sodas contained BVO, an emulsifying ingredient considered harmful and detrimental to health. It was only recently that the FDA banned the ingredient in 2024.
20. Kraft Mac & Cheese
Before its ingredient switch in 2016, Kraft Mac & Cheese contained the artificial food dyes yellow 5 and 6, which are restricted in Austria, Norway, and other countries in Europe due to cancer risks and concerns over their potential to cause hyperactivity in children. Kraft has since swapped these colorants out for paprika, turmeric, and annatto—though the Blue Box is still probably not the healthiest thing to put on your plate.
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