Believe it or not, there’s something hiding behind your favorite American foods. Turns out, some of the most iconic foods in the US are banned in other countries, and the reasons are pretty shocking. Curious? Here’s why the world is saying no to these 15 American favorites.
15. Stove Top Stuffing
This is a go-to choice for making weeknight dinners easier, but is it easy on the health? Well, it’s a no according to Japan, UK, and some European countries. The stuffing contains two ingredients that are off limits in developed countries: BHA and BHT. These are food preservatives that are possibly carcinogenic, which means they could increase the risk of developing cancer.
14. Subway’s Bread
While not technically illegal, residents of Ireland would skip Subway’s bread if they’re looking for an actual bread. The country has a legal definition of bread, and Subway just didn’t meet the criteria. In 2020, the Irish Supreme Court ruled that the rolls have too much sugar, classifying them as a confectionery.
13. Froot Loops
One of the foods that built America is banned in many countries, including Finland, France, and Norway. The breakfast cereal contains yellow 5 and red 40, which are artificial food dyes that are considered harmful. Red 40, in particular, has been linked to cancer.
12. Maraschino Cherries
Yup, your favorite milkshake garnish is a forbidden fruit in the UK, Finland, Norway, France, and Austria. The American version of this sweetened cherry contains red 40 to make it picture perfect. Aside from its link to cancer, the dye may also have links to mental disorders like ADHD in children.
11. Arby’s American-Style Bread
Theoretically, Arby’s bread is banned in Europe. And we say theoretically, because Arby’s doesn’t really have a location there. But if decide to expand, they’ll need to remove some of the banned ingredients in their bread recipes. Arby’s sourdough bread, French toast sticks, and croissant all have azodicarbonamide, while the slider buns and brioche have propylparaben—both banned in the EU.
10. Twinkies
The artificial dye called yellow 5 is the reason why Twinkies are banned in other countries. While EU requires warning labels on artificial dyes, Finland, Norway, and Austria are firm on not having the golden sponge cake on the shelves. Yellow 5 has been linked to allergic reactions and hyperactivity and other behavioral problems in children.
9. Farmed Salmon
Salmon is healthy, right? Well, it depends on how the fish was raised. In the US, many of the salmon we eat are farm-raised, fed with processed feed, antibiotics, and other drugs. In New Zealand, this kind of salmon won’t make the cut because the country has restrictions on the import of farm-raised salmon.
8. US Pork
Russia, China, and the European Union are not having pork from the US either, particularly from pigs that were given ractopamine. This is an animal feed additive used to speed up weight gain. It’s also the reason why US pork is much bigger than what you’ll find in other countries.
7. Pillsbury Biscuits
Yup, those buttery, flaky biscuits from Pillsbury can’t be found in multiple European countries, including Norway, Denmark, and Austria. The products contain trans fat in the form of soybean oil and cottonseed, and they have been banned due to adverse health effects, including increased risk of heart disease.
6. Instant Mashed Potatoes
Remember BHA? Turns out, you can also find that harmful preservative in instant mashed potatoes, which keep them from spoiling on the shelf. Aside from being potentially carcinogenic, BHA has also been linked to immune system changes, disruption in reproductive function, and other adverse effects.
5. Tostitos Salsa Con Queso Dip
Another product with an eye-catching yellow hue is banned in countries like Austria, Finland, and Norway. Unsurprisingly, the dip contains two artificial dyes that are banned in other countries, yellow 5 and yellow 6. Meanwhile, in EU, products containing these dyes require warning labels on the packaging.
4. Hawaiian Papaya
The genetically engineered, virus-resistant papaya, specifically “Rainbow” papaya, is grown commercially in Hawaii and widely adopted there. However, its import and trade are prohibited in Europe unless the European Food Safety Authority declares them safe for human consumption.
3. Pre-Packaged Beef
Most US beef are banned in the EU and that’s because they don’t meet the European standards in many ways. Among the beef types the rest of the world is saying no to is pre-packaged ground beef. They contain pink slime, which is a beef by-product treated with ammonia and used as a filler in ground beef.
2. US Apples
An apple a day is banned in European countries. The restrictions of EU is based on the belief that US apples contain an unsafe level of diphenylamine (DPA), a chemical that helps the fruits stay fresh for longer periods of time. Additionally, the chemical is potentially carcinogenic and has been linked to various cancers.
1. Chlorinated Chicken
Yes, we’re talking about chlorine-washed chicken. While this is an antimicrobial treatment process, it’s the same reason why the EU has banned American chicken since 1997. They’re not concerned about the chlorine itself, but with the need for deep cleaning, saying that high level of safety should be observed throughout the food chain, and not just at the end of the process.