What’s normal in the US can raise red flags elsewhere. Certain foods Americans eat everyday are actually banned overseas for containing ingredients that don’t make the cut under stricter health laws. Here are 10 foods you can’t get in other parts of the world.
10. Wheat Thins
Popular American cracker, Wheat Thins, is on the banned list in some parts of the world, including Japan or Europe. The reason? BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), a preservative that extends the product’s shelf life. BHT has been linked to potential health concerns, including being a possible carcinogen.
9. Little Debbie Swiss Rolls
Those chocolatey swirls of cake and cream filling from Little Debbie are a nostalgic treat. However, you won’t find them in several countries because they contain artificial food dyes like Yellow 5 and Red 40. These additives, used to achieve the snack’s rich color, are banned in many places after being linked potential health issues, especially in children.
8. Pop-Tarts
These toaster pastries are a breakfast staple in America, but you won’t find them in most of Europe. Pop-Tarts are banned in many countries due to the artificial food dyes like Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40. Claims have been made that these additives cause negative side effects, like hyperactivity in children, as well as allergies and cancer.
7. Frosted Flakes
They might be “gr-r-reat!” in the U.S., but Frosted Flakes are not so popular in the European Union and Japan. The culprit is BHT, a preservative used for the cereal. BHT has been linked to potential health concerns, including organ-system toxicity and endocrine disruption.
6. Stove Top Stuffing
We love how quick and easy this Thanksgiving staple is, but it’s not welcome in Japan, the UK, and other European countries. Stove Top Stuffing contains not only BHT, but also BHA (beta-hydroxy acid). These additives are used to extend the shelf life of many processed foods, but they have been considered as potential carcinogens.
5. Pre-Packaged Ground Beef
In the European Union, pre-packaged ground beef from the US is banned because they contain “pink slime.” This beef by-product, which is treated with ammonia gas, is used as a filler in ground beef. According to the US, it’s safe, but the EU has much stricter regulations and decided to keep this controversial product out of their food supply.
4. US Pork
American pork is a no-go in Russia, China, and the European Union. This is because of an animal feed additive called ractopamine. This drug is used to boost muscle growth in pigs, but it has been associated with health issues in both humans and animals. While the US considers it safe, other countries have banned it to protect their citizens from potential health risks.
3. US Chicken
American chicken is also banned in the European Union. This time, it’s due to the common practice of washing chicken carcasses with chlorine to disinfect them from food-borne illnesses. The US sees this as a safety measure, but the EU has a different approach, focusing on preventing contamination throughout the entire production process.
2. Coffee-mate Creamer
This tub of Coffee-mate is a must-have in many American households, but you won’t find it in Denmark, Hungary, Austria, or Norway. The reason is the presence of hydrogenated oils, which are a source of trans fats. As per the Mayo Clinic, trans fats are the worst type of fat you can consume. They raise your bad cholesterol, increasing the risk of serious problems like heart attack and stroke.
1. Ritz Crackers
This innocent-looking classic American cracker is actually outlawed in several countries, and for two different reasons. These snacks contain potassium bromate, a flour additive used to strengthen dough, but it’s also a potential human carcinogen. In other places, Ritz Crackers are a no-go due to trans fats, which have been linked to heart attack and other health problems.