America: home of the free, land of the…banned? That’s right—while the world eagerly gobbles up our burgers, fries, and blockbuster movies, there are a dozen iconic American foods that simply don’t make it past customs in other countries.
A study conducted in California, USA, reported that 43.2% of the products targeting children contained artificial colors (33). Categories like candies (96.3%), fruit-flavored snacks (94%), and drink powders (89.7%) are the biggest offenders.
“European regulators take a much more cautious approach to food safety than their U.S. counterparts,” says Professor Erik Millstone.
These beloved treats are packed with additives, dyes, and chemicals that have raised red flags—or, more accurately, “banned” signs—across the globe.
Skittles
Banned in: Norway and Sweden, and restricted in the European Union
The phrase “taste the rainbow” hits differently when you realize the vibrant colors might just harm your health. Skittles contain titanium dioxide, which is linked to DNA damage and potential cancer risks.
The European Union has banned titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive since 2022, following a 2021 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion that it could not rule out genotoxicity.
Plus, artificial dyes like Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 are associated with hyperactivity in children and carcinogenic concerns in animal studies. Skittles in the U.S. no longer contain titanium dioxide as of late 2024, but the product still faces scrutiny overseas for its use of synthetic dyes.
Chlorine-Washed Chicken
Banned in: European Union
Washing chicken in chlorine might sound like a crime against poultry, but in America, it’s standard practice to reduce bacteria. European countries favor stringent hygiene throughout the supply chain (“farm-to-fork”) instead of dousing their chicken in chemicals.
The practice raises concerns over residues and overall standards of food production. In the U.S., poultry can be raised in crowded conditions with less stringent requirements for space, lighting, and ventilation, which increases the risk of disease and contamination within flocks.
Froot Loops
Banned in: France, Austria, Norway, and Finland
Bright, sugary, and nostalgic. What’s not to love? Well, apparently, a lot. Froot Loops owe their vivid hues to artificial dyes linked to potential health risks, including nerve cell development delays, hyperactivity, and—in animal studies—cancer risk.
About 43% of foods marketed to children contain artificial food dyes, with cereals, candies, and snacks being the most affected. France and several other European nations say, “No, thank you” to these synthetic colorings in children’s cereals.
Milk with rBGH
Banned in: European Union, Canada
Recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH, also known as rBST) is injected into cows to boost milk production. Except it increases levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which has been linked to higher cancer risks, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer in some studies.
Europe and Canada won’t touch the stuff, while about 9.7% of U.S. dairy farms, as of 2014, still use it, with further declines likely since then. The U.S. does not require labeling of rBGH use, but many products are now marketed as “rBGH-free” or “rBST-free” to appeal to health-conscious consumers.
Bread with Potassium Bromate
Banned in: European Union, China, India
Americans eat sandwiches happily with potassium bromate, a dough-strengthening ingredient. Scientific studies have shown that potassium bromate causes cancer in laboratory animals, including tumors in the thyroid, kidneys, and peritoneum.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified potassium bromate in 1999 as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” It is also nephrotoxic and can damage the kidneys.
“There is evidence that it may be toxic to human consumers, that it may even either initiate or promote the development of tumors,” says Professor Erik Millstone, University of Sussex, told CBS News.
Farm-Raised Salmon
Banned in: Australia, New Zealand
Farmed salmon are usually treated with antibiotics and astaxanthin, a chemical that enhances their pinkish color but carries risks of high blood pressure and potential cell damage.
Open net-pen salmon farms can pollute surrounding waters, spread disease to wild fish, and disrupt local ecosystems. In both Australia and New Zealand, there is a strong consumer preference for wild-caught salmon, which is perceived as healthier and more sustainable.
However, wild Atlantic or Pacific salmon is rarely available locally, so most salmon consumed in Australia is farmed.
Pop-Tarts
Banned in: UK, Norway, Austria (for specific versions)
That toaster pastry you loved as a kid? It contains artificial dyes like Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine), Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow), and Red No. 40 (Allura Red), which have been linked to hyperactivity and a potential cancer risk.
Since 2010, the European Parliament has mandated that foods containing certain artificial dyes must include a warning label indicating that the product “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
To comply with European regulations, some Pop-Tart varieties sold in Europe have been reformulated to use natural colorings instead of synthetic dyes.
Processed Mashed Potatoes
Banned in: European Union, the UK, and Japan
Quick and easy mashed potatoes might save you time, but they often contain BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), preservatives flagged as potentially carcinogenic.
These additives are commonly used in the United States to extend shelf life and prevent spoilage.
Kraft Mac & Cheese
Banned in: Austria, Norway
Is it even a childhood without Kraft Mac & Cheese? Animal studies have linked Yellow 6 to an increased risk of tumors, and both Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 may be contaminated with carcinogens such as benzidine.
Kraft has reformulated Mac & Cheese for European markets, using natural colorings like turmeric, paprika, and annatto instead of synthetic dyes.
Following a high-profile petition with over 365,000 signatures, Kraft announced in 2015 that it would remove artificial preservatives and synthetic dyes from its U.S. Mac & Cheese products by 2016.
Olean (Fat-Free Snacks)
Banned in: UK, Canada
Olean, also known as olestra, promises fat-free indulgence but comes with an unexpected side effect. This ingredient isn’t appropriately metabolized by humans, which can cause significant gastrointestinal distress, including abdominal cramps, loose stools, and diarrhea.
These effects occur because olestra can interfere with the absorption of specific vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and carotenoids.
Gatorade
Banned in: Norway, Austria
Athletes in Europe hydrate without Gatorade. Why? The drink’s neon colors contain artificial dyes, like Yellow No. 5 (Tartrazine), Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow), and Red No. 40 (Allura Red), which raise concerns about hyperactivity, allergic reactions, and potential cancer risks.
While Gatorade has removed some problematic ingredients, such as brominated vegetable oil (BVO), to comply with European regulations, the continued presence of these synthetic dyes means the drink remains banned in Norway and Austria.
Athletes and consumers in Norway and Austria have shifted to alternative sports drinks, like Powerade, Vitamin Well, and locally produced electrolyte beverages.
Corn Sprayed with Atrazine
Banned in: 44 countries, including the European Union
Atrazine, a herbicide used on corn in the U.S., is linked to reproductive harm and birth defects. Atrazine is a chlorinated herbicide primarily used on corn, sorghum, and sugarcane in the United States, where it is the second most widely used herbicide (after glyphosate), with more than 70 million pounds applied annually.
Atrazine has been linked to birth defects such as gastroschisis (a condition where a baby’s intestines develop outside the body), as well as other reproductive harms, including infertility, low sperm counts, and fertility problems.
It is classified as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with hormone systems in both humans and wildlife.
Final Thoughts
The fact that some American staples are unwelcome in other countries should make you pause and think. Are we prioritizing convenience over health?
It’s easy to grab a bag of Skittles or a box of ready-made mashed potatoes off the shelf. But what’s convenient might not always be what’s safe or healthy. Next time you shop, read the labels, ask questions, and consider cleaner options.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
on’t Swipe Until You Read This: The 7 Best Credit Cards for 2025 Ranked by Rewards
The 7 Best Credit Cards for 2025 Ranked by Rewards
There’s this moment that sticks with me—standing at a checkout line, swiping my old card like I always did, and thinking, “Wait… why am I not getting anything back for this?” I wasn’t traveling on points. I wasn’t getting cash back. I was just spending. Sound familiar?
Look, the truth is, credit cards can work for you—if you choose the right one. And in 2025, you’ve got some seriously rewarding options that can actually boost your bank account. From travel lovers to grocery haulers, there’s something for everyone.
Let’s break down the best credit cards out there this year—the ones that actually give back.
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
5 Easy Steps to Change Any Habit
We all click on them with the hope that just THIS time the secret to changing a bad habit or adopting a healthy one will be revealed and we’ll finally be able to stick to that diet, stop that one or ten things that might in the moment make us feel temporarily good but really just make us fat, unhealthy, sad, mad or just frustrated with ourselves.
Well… this isn’t one of those articles. I don’t have 5 easy steps to help you change your habits….
