Many American staple foods aren’t as healthy as they are marketed. They are filled with substances that are harmful to both adults and children. It might come as a surprise to many Americans that many of their beloved foods are banned around the world. Many countries have stricter rules regarding food safety and are particular about every ingredient. This makes it hard for companies to mask potentially harmful substances under different names.
Here is a list of eleven American foods banned in other countries.
Gatorade
Gatorade is a popular sports drink developed in 1965 at the University of Florida to help athletes rehydrate and regain the electrolytes lost during intense physical activity. It soon became a popular drink among the masses, and stores today have aisles dedicated to Gatorade, which now comes in multiple flavors.
However, not all countries share this love for Gatorade, and Norway and Austria banned the drink. This is because the drink contained artificial food colors, Yellow 6 and 6, which are known to carry cancer-causing contaminants, and brominated vegetable oil (BVO), which is known to cause hyperthyroidism and other health issues.
Ritz Crackers
Ritz Crackers is a brand of snack crackers introduced by Nabisco in 1934. They are known for their buttery flavor and flaky texture and are a staple in many American households.
Ritz Crackers are banned in many countries worldwide due to the presence of trans fats, which are one of the most dangerous types of fats as they raise your LDL cholesterol, which causes heart disease and stroke. While they don’t directly add trans fat, they do add canola oil containing trans fat. This is how Ritz Crackers passed FDA regulations, but other countries have more stringent rules and banned Ritz Crackers. The countries that banned them are the United Kingdom, Brazil, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland.
Coffee Mate
Coffee-mate is a popular non-dairy coffee creamer manufactured by Nestlé. It is available in powdered, liquid, and concentrated liquid forms. Introduced in 1961 by Carnation, it quickly became a staple in many households and offices.
Despite its popularity, Coffee Mate was banned in Austria, Hungary, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. The ban is due to the two main ingredients of Coffee Mate, corn syrup solids and hydrogenated vegetable oil, which contain a considerable amount of trans fat that clogs arteries.
Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Pillsbury Crescent Rolls are a refrigerated dough product. They have a flaky and fluffy texture and can be used to make multiple dishes, such as appetizers, breakfast items, and desserts.
These rolls contain hydrogenated oils, which increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cause inflammation and heart diseases. They also contain artificial food colors, Yellow 5 and Red 40, that have cancer-causing contaminants. Pillsbury Crescent Rolls are banned in Norway and Austria.
Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew is a citrus-flavored soft drink brand owned by PepsiCo, first introduced in 1940. Originally created by Tennessee beverage bottlers, it has expanded to include different flavors, such as Code Red and even an alcoholic version called Hard Mountain Dew.
Mountain Dew contains brominated vegetable oil (BVO), which is known to cause hyperthyroidism and other health issues like memory loss and skin and nerve problems. While many Americans might not know this, their favorite drink has been banned in the European Union (EU) and Japan.
Raspberry Jell-O
Raspberry Jell-O is one of the original flavors of the iconic gelatin dessert, Jell-O. It was created in 1895 by Pearl B. Wait, a cough syrup manufacturer from LeRoy, New York.
Raspberry Jell-O, one of America’s favorite desserts, is not only high in sugar but also contains the controversial artificial dye Red 40, which contains the cancer-causing substance Benzene. Red 40’s common side effects include ADHD, depression, hives, and migraines. The dye is restricted in Europe and is illegal in Austria and Norway. Raspberry Jell-O is banned in Austria, Norway, and Hungary.
Tostitos Con Queso Dip
Introduced in 1970, Tostitos Con Queso Dip is a creamy cheese dip designed to be paired with tortilla chips. It is a popular choice for parties, game days, and casual snacking.
This cheese dip contains artificial food colorings, Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which are restricted in Europe. The European Food Standards Agency declared them unsafe for kids. Tostitos Con Queso Dip is banned in Austria and Norway.
Honey Bunches of Oats
Created by Post Consumer Brands in 1989, Honey Bunches of Oats is a famous American breakfast cereal known for its combination of crispy flakes and crunchy oat clusters sweetened with honey. The cereal is marketed as a source of whole grains and has become a staple in many households. The same is not true for the rest of the world, and this breakfast staple is banned in many countries. Honey Bunches of Oats are banned in Japan and the European Union because of the presence of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), which is known to cause hormone disruption and even cancer.
Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix
The Betty Crocker fudge brownie mix is a household name when it comes to brownies. The mix has been a part of Betty Crocker’s product lineup since the brand’s inception in 1921. However, this mix is banned in European countries like Austria, Denmark, Hungary, Iceland, and Switzerland due to the presence of trans fat, which is known to cause cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke.
Lucky Charms
Lucky Charms is a popular breakfast cereal produced by General Mills since 1964. It consists of toasted oat pieces and colorful marshmallow shapes. Lucky Charms is known for its catchy theme song and marketing featuring Lucky the Leprechaun, who proclaims the cereal “magically delicious.”
Countries like Norway, Austria, and Japan aren’t as charmed by Lucky Charms as the U.S. and have banned the cereal. This is because the cereal contains artificial dyes like Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, all of which have side effects like hyperactivity, ADHD, depression, migraines, hives, and Asthma.
Fresca Soda
Fresca is a grapefruit-flavored soft drink created by The Coca-Cola Company. It was first introduced in the United States in 1966. Fresca is marketed as a zero-calorie, sugar-free beverage, making it a popular choice for those seeking a light soda option.
Fresca Soda is banned in the European Union (EU), Australia, the United Kingdom, and Japan because it contains Brominated vegetable oil (BVO), which, if consumed in excess, can cause memory loss, hyperthyroidism, and skin and nerve problems.