Imagine for a moment you’re biting into a snack that’s so controversial, it’s illegal in other nations. That’s right, what we think of as normal American food and habits are not just frowned upon, but downright forbidden overseas. Find out why these 10 items are too dangerous for global standards.
10. Ractopamine in US Pork
We do love our ham, hot dogs, and pork chops, but here’s a shocker: the US pig industry uses a controversial feed additive called ractopamine to promote muscle growth in pigs. While this practice is legal in the US, it is banned in 160 countries. The additive has adverse effects in animals (such as heart problems), and concerns have been raised about possible residues in the meat we consume.
9. Skittles
There’s nothing more American than the bright-colored, fruit-flavored Skittles. But those in Sweden and Norway aren’t too fond of this candy. As tasty as they are, Skittles have a substance called titanium dioxide, which has been linked to cancer (especially if consumed repeatedly). Surprisingly, Skittles are banned in several countries not because of this substance, but due to the dyes used.
8. Coca-Cola
Coke is a staple soft drink, particularly in fast food chains. And while it has successfully expanded to Europe and Asia, there are certain countries that aren’t that welcoming. More specifically, Coca-Cola is outright banned in Cuba and North Korea. The reason is mainly ideological, as they see the brand as a symbol of American capitalism. Meanwhile, the US has imposed trade embargoes on both nations.
7. Use of Artificial Food Dyes
The US recently banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 because it has been linked to cancer in animals. While it’s indeed a step in the right direction, there are other artificial colorings still in use in the country. Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5—we could go on and on, and you can find them in products like Skittles, Doritos, and Pop Tarts. To date, these colorings are banned in the EU.
6. Ritz Crackers
The party crackers you know and love are banned in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Austria, Hungary, and Switzerland. These countries have strict laws against trans fat, so yes, Ritz Crackers still have trans fat, courtesy of hydrogenated cottonseed oil. In Canada, the crackers are banned because of potassium bromate, which has been linked to cancer, kidney damage, and nervous system damage.
5. Use of Dough Conditioner in Bread
In the US, bread isn’t just made from grain. It also includes additives to improve color and texture, and one of those additives is azodicarbonamide (ADA), known to strengthen the dough and bleach the flour. However, the European Union has banned the use of this additive in food products due to it being a potential cause of cancer. Even more shocking, ADA is also used in producing yoga mats.
4. Little Debbie Swiss Rolls
You may have thought the the only thing that’s dangerous about these Swiss rolls are their sugar content, but no. Norway and Austria banned these chocolatey rolls because they contain artificial dyes Yellow 5 and Red 40. The US isn’t concerned about these colorants, although there’s evidence that they could cause cancer over time.
3. Nestlé Products
While not totally banned, Nestlé products now have warning labels (octagonal black labels) in Mexico, reminding consumers that the products carry high levels of sugar and fat. Similar to many parts of Southern America, Mexico is battling with the obesity epidemic. By adding warning labels to products, consumers can easily identify unhealthy options like Nestlé chocolates.
2. Carrageenan in Processed Foods
Carrageenan is banned in organic foods and baby formula in EU, exposing the harsh truth of its negative health effects, particularly in human digestive system. It’s worth nothing, though, that EU’s move to ban the additive is more of a precautionary measure. Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from seaweed, present in popular products like Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream and Dannon Yogurt.
1. Synthetic Hormones in Beef and Dairy
Finally, it’s no secret that synthetic hormones can be used to promote growth and milk production in cattle. This operation is banned in the EU, but legal in the US. The hormones could remain in the animal’s meat or milk after processing, opening the possibility of consumers ingesting traces of hormones. Some studies even suggested a link between these hormones and increased risk of cancer.