North American Food Ingredients That Are Banned in Other Countries, Find Out Why!
Let's get real about what's in our kids' lunchboxes and our pantries. Ever wonder why some stuff we find on our grocery shelves is banned in other countries? I did some digging, and honestly, it's a bit of a shocker. Here’s the list of what’s in our food and why some countries are saying BIG NO to these ingredients!
Note: This list’s last update is in April 2023. Please keep in the loop by continuing to research!
Lists of North American Food Ingredients That Are Banned in Other Countries
1. Artificial Food Dyes (e.g., Yellow No. 5, Red No. 40)
Found in: Candies, soft drinks, cereals, energy drinks, and snack foods.
Concerns: Linked to behavioural issues and hyperactivity in children.
Banned/Regulated in: European Union countries require warnings on labels; Norway and Austria have banned them outright.
2. rBGH (Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone)
Found in: Milk and dairy products from treated cows.
Concerns: Potential increased risk of cancer, and concerns about animal welfare.
Banned/Regulated in: European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
3. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Found in: Some citrus-flavoured soft drinks and sports drinks.
Concerns: Possible links to thyroid issues, cancer, and other health problems.
Banned/Regulated in: Over 100 countries, including the European Union and Japan.
4. Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
Found in: Some breads, frozen dinners, boxed pasta mixes, and packaged baked goods.
Concerns: Linked to respiratory issues and allergies; recognized as a carcinogen when heated.
Banned/Regulated in: European Union and Australia.
5. Olestra/Olean
Found in: Fat-free snack foods like chips and french fries.
Concerns: Gastrointestinal issues and adverse nutrient absorption effects.
Banned/Regulated in: European Union.
6. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Found in: Cereal, nut mixes, gum, butter, meat, dehydrated potatoes.
Concerns: Potential carcinogens.
Banned/Regulated in: Part of the European Union and Japan.
7. Growth Hormones in Beef (e.g., rBST)
Found in: Beef products.
Concerns: Cancer risks and animal welfare issues.
Banned/Regulated in: European Union, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.
8. Arsenic-Based Drugs
Found in: Conventionally raised poultry.
Concerns: Increased levels of arsenic in meat.
Banned/Regulated in: European Union.
9. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Found in: Various crops such as corn, soy, canola, and cottonseed are used in a wide array of foods.
Concerns: Environmental impact, potential health risks.
Banned/Regulated in: Many European countries have strict regulations.
10. Potassium Bromate
Found in: Some breads and flour products.
Concerns: Possible carcinogen.
Banned/Regulated in: European Union, Canada, and some other countries.
Here is a video that explains some of American foods that are banned in other countries. Some of these foods we can find even in Canadian grocery stores.
What to do then?
When we shop, it's time to look beyond just calories and sugars on the label. Diligent research and reading ingredient lists become crucial in ensuring what we feed our families is safe.
Cooking at home with ingredients sourced from local farmers and trusted shops is arguably the best way to ensure safety. It's a challenge, sure, but it's one worth taking on for the health of our families.
We're not saying to never buy from grocery stores, but perhaps we can be more mindful, limiting consumption of potentially harmful products and moving towards healthier choices. Bare Refillery offers a wide range of bulk organic dry foods at our stores in White Rock and North Vancouver. You can always purchase them online too.
Every small step towards understanding what goes into our food and making conscious choices can lead to significant benefits for our family's well-being.
Source:
Artificial Food Dyes: EFSA Review on Food Additives.
rBGH: FDA Stance vs. International Bans.
BVO: FDA Permissible Limits vs. International Bans.
ADA: FDA Approval and International Concerns.
Olestra: FDA Information vs. Health Concerns.
BHA/BHT: National Toxicology Program Report.
Beef Hormones: IARC Findings on Cancer.
Arsenic-Based Drugs: FDA's Phased Ban.
GMOs: USDA Regulations vs. EU Policies.
Potassium Bromate: IARC Classification.