If you’ve traveled abroad, you’ll have noticed how some foods widely available in the United States can’t be found elsewhere. There’s a reason for that.
From neon-colored candy to genetically modified produce, stapes of American diets are actually seen as not fit for consumption in other countries. In the European Union (EU) especially, there are more stringent food standards and regulations that keep foods easy to find in the US off European shelves.
Our selection process for this list was guided by a desire to illuminate the complexities of global food regulations. We aimed to highlight not just the peculiarities of these foods, but also the underlying reasons for their bans.
Skittles
While Skittles are a common candy in the US, they contain Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which can have some adverse effects. In a study conducted by the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapuetics, they found that these artificial colorings have the potential to cause hyperactivity in children, as well as studies on rats that show Yellow 6 causing tumors.
As a result, these artificial colors are banned in quite a few European countries.
Maraschino Cherries
As delicious as Maraschino Cherries may be, they contain the artificial coloring Red 40. There are a large number of people who are allergic to this particular dye, not to mention it may cause certain cancers. Predominantly found in Maraschino Cherries, it can also be found in Grenadine and Cherry Pie mix.
This dye is banned in many European countries, such as Norway, Finland, and the UK.
Mountain Dew
While this neon drink is incredibly popular in the US, it used to contain brominated vegetable oil. This ingredient contains bromine, which is also in flame retardants and, in some rare cases, particularly overexposure, can cause lesions, memory loss, and nerve problems.
As a result, Europe and Japan banned this ingredient in all food and drink.
Wheat Thins
Wheat Thins are a staple in many households but are banned in the UK, Japan, and parts of Europe. Wheat Thins contain BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), which some believe can have harmful side effects on the consumer.
While there is a minimal amount of research on BHT’s effects, these countries have banned it due to its potential carcinogenic properties.
Little Debbie Swiss Rolls
An iconic item that many look forward to eating, Little Debbie Swiss Rolls are banned in Austria and Norway for having Red 40 and Yellow 5 dyes.
Other countries in the EU must carry a warning label on any item with these dyes in them so consumers are aware of the potential risk.
Twinkies
Like Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, Twinkies are another treat banned in Austria, Norway, and Finland for carrying Red 40 and Yellow 5 dyes.
Unfortunately, these dyes are found in many confectionary items, especially those aimed at children whom they predominantly affect.
Instant Stuffing
Instant Stuffing is banned in the UK, Japan, and other regions.
This food carries the popular preservatives BHA and BHT, which have raised a couple of red flags for potentially having carcinogenic properties and their ability to hinder blood clotting. Plus, homemade stuffing just tastes better.
Farm Raised Salmon
While salmon is seen as a healthy food and can be beneficial for heart health, farm-raised salmon can pose a risk to your health. Salmon in farms are fed chemicals and GMO food, including grains, dioxins, and PCBs, which reportedly have the potential to cause cancer. These chemicals are fed to the fish to give them the pink color of wild salmon.
As a result, farm-raised salmon are banned in Australia and New Zealand.
Coffee Mate Creamer
While Coffee Mate Creamer may be the perfect ingredient for your cup of joe, it, unfortunately, contains hydrogenated oils, which is a component that contains a bucket load of trans fats.
If you consume an excess of these fats, it can put you at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and, as recent research indicates, Alzheimer’s.
US Pork
Ractopamine is a beta-agonist often fed to pigs to increase body mass while reducing fat levels. This is not a great hormone for humans to have in their bodies, as it can cause tachycardia, tremors, headaches, and more.
As a result, US pork is banned in approximately 160 countries worldwide.
Pre-Packaged Ground Beef
You may be familiar with hearing that ground beef looks like pink slime. This sounds gross as it is, but the side effects of consuming it can be harmful. Pink slime is an additive used to reduce overall fat.
As a result, the meat is exposed to ammonia or citric acid, which aren’t regulated and may not be fit for human consumption. Due to the risks of pre-packaged ground beef, it is banned in Canada and the European Union.
US Milk
It doesn’t happen as frequently, but some dairy farms still use rBST and rBGH, hormones used to increase milk production. This can cause mastitis in cows, which can cause contamination of the milk with pus and antibiotics.
As a result, US milk is banned in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, and the EU.
Froot Loops
Froot Loops contain a bucket load of artificial dyes to make it as colorful as it is–and yes, the same goes for Fruity Pebbles.
The dye included in Froot Loops can cause nerve-cell development delays, so you won’t find it on the shelf in Norway, England, or France.
Corn
American Corn is banned in quite a few countries in the world. Like quite a few food items in the US, corn is also a GMO product. It’s been genetically modified to be resistant to ringspot, which, when consumed by humans, can have devastating side effects.
These potential side effects include multiple organ damage, congenital disabilities, and tumors.
Boxed Mac and Cheese
As with quite a few foods on this list, Kraft Mac and Cheese is banned due to the addition of food dyes.
Kraft Mac and Cheese contains Yellow 5 and 6 and is banned in Austria, Norway, and other EU countries for the cancer risk. Talk about the Blue Box Blues.
Papaya
Like corn, papaya, a sweet, soft fruit from Mexico, is also banned for being genetically modified.
While it’s resistant to ringspot virus, the effects on humans after consistent consumption is considered by some regulatory bodies to be a huge risk and is also banned in many countries in the world.
Bread
Not all bread products from the US are banned, and restrictions only apply to those made using the chemical Potassium Bromate.
Research has shown this chemical has been linked to cancer, kidney damage, and damage to the nervous system. Due to the potential risks, any bread containing the chemical is not allowed in many overseas countries.
Chewing Gum
While some countries have banned chewing gum in the name of environmental safety, it’s also banned in many countries for the usage of BHA. While BHA is a preservative to keep food from going bad, it has been reported to cause cancer in rats.
Fun fact: chewing gum is banned completely in Singapore because of the mess people have made with it in the country. Those caught chewing, importing, or producing it can be heavily fined.
Artificial Blueberries
While artificial blueberries may look nice, the side effects it can cause are significantly less so. The blue dye used to create the blueberry color is derived from petroleum. Consumption can potentially lead to nerve-cell degeneration and cancer.
The blue dye was once banned in Norway, Austria, and other EU countries, but regulations have since changed. Yet, it’s probably a good idea to stick with the real thing.
Rice
Rice contains a surprising ingredient: arsenic. This pesticide is a well-known carcinogenic and can be quite dangerous to children as it slows brain development.
While rice isn’t quite banned, it is on a watchlist in the EU. That said, you can get rice abroad as well, so there’s no issue with availability.
Cheese
Like milk, cheese also contains rBGH, a synthetic hormone injected into cows to increase milk production. Not only can this lead to mastitis in cows, but it also has carcinogenic properties, increasing the risk of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer.
There are alternatives available abroad, so cheese is still widely sold, but US cheese is not among many selections.
Processed Meat
While processed meat is known for being generally unhealthy, this isn’t why it’s banned in the EU. These processed meats are often cured in sodium nitrate, a preservative that reports link to different types of cancer.
Don’t panic; you’ll still be able to get your hands on some processed meats in the EU.
Pillsbury Biscuits
Pillsbury Biscuits are banned in multiple countries for using trans fats like cottonseed and soybean oil.
Due to their adverse effects on health, including putting consumers at an increased risk of heart disease, they are banned in several countries, including Austria and Norway.
Chlorinated Chicken
Some US chickens are washed in chlorine to kill off bacteria and are occasionally fed arsenic to make their skin pinker and give the cutlets a fresher appearance. Both chlorine and arsenic can have adverse effects on your health if over-consumed.
The EU has banned the product since 1997, citing the health risks it poses.
Stevia
Like most artificial sweeteners, Stevia was banned from the start of production in the EU.
When it was banned, there wasn’t much research to suggest that it was harmful, but studies in the UK have concluded Stevia comes along with an increased risk of male infertility and cancer, and regulatory bodies aren’t taking the chance.
High Fructose Syrup
High-fructose corn syrup is found in many foods across the US and is made purely of sugar and fructose. As a result, it has been said to cause some pretty detrimental health issues, including obesity and diabetes.
Some countries in the EU have restricted the use of the syrup, while others have banned it outright.
Frozen Dinners
Azodicarbonamide is often found in frozen dinners and other household staples, like bread and pasta. It’s a potentially dangerous chemical used to bleach flour and foamed plastic.
Tests were carried out and results showed it can induce asthma. As a result, it is banned in the UK, Australia, and a majority of the EU.
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Like instant stuffing, instant mashed potatoes also carry BHT and BHA preservatives, so they’re off the shelves in the UK and Japan.
Also similar to instant stuffing, homemade mashed potatoes are better than anything made from a box, and it’s easy enough to cook them without having to resort to a box mix.
Chocolate Milk
While chocolate milk tastes great, some brands use a seaweed extract called carrageenan. It’s a thickening agent that attracts water and helps emulsify.
This ingredient may cause inflammation, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s. As a result of studies confirming these effects, the EU has banned it.
Frosted Flakes
Unfortunately, this iconic cereal isn’t legal to sell in other countries thanks to its use of BHT preservatives. While the FDA believes this preservative is fine to consume in small quantities, European countries have decided to ban it entirely.
You also can’t find Frosted Flakes in Japan. The Asian country put the kibosh on the product as well.
Gatorade
Gatorade is banned in quite a few EU countries due to the use of Yellow 5 and 6, artificial food colorings. After scientific research was released showing these dyes can be harmful to children, the EU quickly acted and banned them altogether.
Those looking for thirst quenchers overseas will have to settle for other brands.