15 American Foods Other Countries Refuse to Eat

When it comes to food, we often assume that what's on our shelves must be safe — after all, it's approved by the FDA, right? However, not every country shares the same perspective on food safety.

While you might grab a bag of Doritos or a can of Mountain Dew without a second thought, you'd be hard-pressed to find these items in some other parts of the world. That’s because certain ingredients and additives that are perfectly legal stateside are banned in other countries due to health concerns.

We're going to dive into 15 popular U.S. foods that have found themselves banned in other countries. So, the next time you pour some Coffee Mate creamer into your morning coffee, consider why other nations are saying no to it.

Mountain Dew

Mountain Dew is an iconic American soft drink known for its citrus flavor and neon green color, but it's banned in Japan and the European Union due to the inclusion of brominated vegetable oil (BVO). BVO contains bromine, a substance also found in flame retardants, which has been linked to potential health issues such as memory loss, skin problems, and nerve damage.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as of July 3, 2024, BVOs are no longer allowed in our food. Companies have a year to comply with this new rule.

Ritz Crackers

Ritz Crackers are a favorite snack in many American households, but you won't find them on store shelves in Switzerland and Austria. The reason for the ban comes down to their use of partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, a source of trans fats.

Trans fats have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, prompting many nations to take action against foods containing this harmful ingredient.

Skittles

Skittles are famous for their “Taste the Rainbow” slogan, but in certain European countries, you might have a harder time finding them due to the use of synthetic food dyes like Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. These dyes are banned in countries like Norway and Austria because studies link them to hyperactivity in children and other behavioral problems.

In the EU, foods that contain these dyes must carry a warning label, which has led some companies to reformulate their products or pull them from the market altogether.

Farm-Raised Salmon

Farm-raised salmon, particularly when treated with synthetic astaxanthin, faces bans in countries like Australia and New Zealand. Astaxanthin is used to give farmed salmon its appealing pink color, mimicking the natural hue of wild salmon.

However, the synthetic version of this chemical hasn't been approved for human consumption in these countries due to concerns over potential health impacts.

Frosted Flakes

This popular cereal contains Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), a preservative that's been flagged for its possible carcinogenic effects. BHT is used to preserve freshness in processed foods, but it has been banned or strictly regulated in many countries due to concerns over its impact on health.

U.S. food regulations allow BHT in specific quantities deemed safe for consumption. However, many health-conscious consumers are avoiding products with artificial preservatives like BHT.

Little Debbie Swiss Rolls

Little Debbie Swiss Rolls may bring back fond childhood memories for many Americans, but you won't find them in parts of Europe due to their inclusion of Yellow 5 and Red 40 food dyes. In the U.S., these snack cakes remain a staple in convenience stores, but growing awareness of the effects of synthetic food dyes has led to increased scrutiny.

Some people now opt for snacks with natural ingredients, and certain food brands are beginning to respond by removing these dyes from their recipes.

Pork (Ractopamine-Treated)

Ractopamine is a feed additive used in U.S. pork production to promote leaner meat, but it's banned in over 100 countries, including China and Russia, due to concerns about its potential health risks. Ractopamine can cause adverse effects in animals, and there are fears that its residue in pork could pose risks to human health.

Despite being approved by the FDA, the global backlash against ractopamine has affected U.S. pork exports, pushing producers to reconsider its use.

M&Ms

While M&Ms are a much-loved candy in the U.S., they have faced bans in certain European countries because of their use of artificial dyes, particularly Red 40 and Yellow 6.

As you can see from other items on the list, the food dye controversy isn't unique — many countries are increasingly concerned about the impact of synthetic additives on health. Fortunately, this has pushed some companies to explore natural alternatives to maintain those vibrant colors in their products.

Milk with rBGH

Milk produced with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) is banned in Canada and the European Union due to concerns over its potential health effects. This hormone is used to increase milk production in cows, but it has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and other health issues in humans.

Although the FDA allows rBGH in U.S. milk, consumer demand for hormone-free dairy products has grown significantly. Many dairy brands now proudly label their products as rBGH-free.

Stove Top Stuffing

Stove Top Stuffing contains preservatives like Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), which are banned in Japan and Europe. These preservatives are linked to potential carcinogenic effects, prompting stricter food safety regulations abroad.

While the U.S. still permits these preservatives, other nations have opted for a more cautious approach, focusing on limiting consumer exposure to synthetic chemicals in food.

Bread with Potassium Bromate

Potassium bromate is a flour treatment agent that helps the bread stay fluffier, but it’s banned in the EU, Canada, and China due to its potential to cause cancer. Despite these findings, the FDA still allows potassium bromate in U.S. baked goods.

Consumer pressure for safer ingredients has encouraged some bakeries and food manufacturers to eliminate it from their recipes.

U.S. Chicken

Chlorine-washed chicken is a point of contention between the U.S. and the European Union, where it’s banned due to concerns over food safety. In the U.S., chlorine is used to kill bacteria in chickens, but the EU argues that this practice allows producers to cut corners on hygiene standards during farming and processing.

As a result, U.S. chicken exports have been restricted in Europe, pushing American producers to look for alternative methods to ensure food safety.

Instant Mashed Potatoes

Instant mashed potatoes may be a quick and easy side dish, but some brands use Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), a preservative banned in Japan and parts of the EU. BHA is linked to concerns about its potential to cause cancer.

As health-conscious consumers increasingly reject artificial additives, more food producers seek to create preservative-free options.

Coffee Mate Creamer

Coffee Mate Creamer may seem like an innocent part of your morning coffee routine, but in some countries, it's banned due to the presence of partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats). These trans fats are banned in Switzerland, Austria, and many other places due to their association with heart disease and other health problems.

The U.S. has started taking steps to phase out trans fats, with the FDA declaring them no longer “generally recognized as safe.”

Doritos

Doritos may be a go-to snack for many, but certain varieties are banned in parts of the EU due to their use of artificial food dyes like Yellow 5 and Red 40, as well as preservatives like BHT.

The debate over synthetic food additives is growing even in the U.S., with many consumers seeking out snacks made from real ingredients. As a result, some companies are beginning to reformulate their products, though the original Doritos recipe remains unchanged for now.