8 American foods that are banned outside the USA!

Every country is proud of its cuisine. And so are the Americans. But the current mass food manufacturing trend has modified the cuisine and also made some unhealthy. Accordingly, some of the American foods might not be considered healthy abroad. These eight foods that are sold legally in the USA are banned in other countries of the world. Which are these products?

American foods that are banned abroad

Americans are proud of their food dishes. But in modern days with mass production, certain American foods have got modified. Also, they contain certain food additives and chemicals that are either unsafe for human consumption or are not well-studied. This poses risks to the health of the consumers.

And to add on, there are certain unscrupulous manufacturers who do not write the unsafe ingredient added on the label list on the package. Or they put their chemical name which customers do not understand. Overall, the marketing tactics proves bad for the general or specific health of the eater.

Knowing these problems, certain American foods are banned abroad by other nations.

Citrus soda

Different companies make it. But the one from Sun Drop contains brominated vegetable oil in it. This is put to prevent citrus from separating out from the rest of the ingredients. Thus, uniform consistency is maintained. But this can lead to memory loss, headache and skin irritation. Pepsico and Coca-Cola have agreed to eliminate these from their drinks. But it is better always  to check the labels before buying or drinking these sodas.

Though USA continues to allow these drinks on their soil, Japan and European Union has banned them.

Certain breakfast cereals

Honey Bunches of Oats and Honey Maid S’mores contain the additive, butylated hydroxytoluene (or BHT) to increase the shelf life of the product. Animal studies have revealed the carcinogenic potential of BHT. It can also lead to thyroid and renal problems. But US FDA continues to say that it is safe. Hence, these breakfast cereals are still on sale in the USA. But EU and Japan refuse to import them.

Skittles

These are a childhood memory. But these have in them yellow 5 and yellow 6 as coloring agents. Yellow 5 causes hyperactivity in kids whereas yellow 6 is associated with adrenal and testis tumors in animal studies. US FDA has decided to turn a blind eye to this but some EU countries have banned these colors and also products using them. Other EU nations have made it mandatory to display this color additive on the package label.

Cow’s milk with rBGH (the recombinant bovine growth hormone)

Certain dairy farms in the USA (9.7%) use rBGH (the recombinant bovine growth hormone) on its cows to increase milk output. The milk also contains this hormone. But EU and Canada has banned the sale of such milk in their countries.

Some of the American processed bread products

American bakery products such as Jimmy Dean Delights Turkey Sausage, Egg & Cheese Honey Wheat Flatbread Sandwiches and Arby’s croissants have a whitening agent in them called azodicarbonamide (ADA). This can cause respiratory distress and skin irritation on large exposures such as in bakery workers. Europe has banned this but not the USA.

Instant mashed potatoes

Hungry Jack’s Mashed Potatoes has the preservative, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) in it and this is carcinogenic. The UK and Japan does not allow products containing BHA.

US pork

The animal farms in the USA use the growth hormone, ractopamine on its pigs to make them grow larger quickly. The limited research on this hormone has linked it with increased heart rate. Most world countries have banned it’s use.

Bakery items like rolls, breads and buns

Read here: Wood apple or Bael fruit: uses, nutrition and health benefits

These bakery items have potassium bromate which is carcinogenic. This is a preservative that the UK, Brazil and Canada has banned. But USA foods continue to have it.