13 Everyday Foods That Are Actually Banned in Other Countries
Ingredients sitting in your pantry right now that wouldn't legally make it onto shelves elsewhere.
Thirteen common foods and ingredients that are restricted or banned in other countries, and the food safety reasoning behind each restriction.
Food regulations vary enormously by country, and a surprising number of everyday American products are restricted or banned elsewhere over ingredients most shoppers never think twice about.
Certain Food Dyes
Some artificial food colorings common in American candy and cereal are banned or require warning labels in parts of the European Union due to studies linking them to hyperactivity in children.
Farm-Raised Salmon With Added Color
Some countries restrict the synthetic pigments used to make farm-raised salmon appear pink, requiring more disclosure than U.S. labeling does.
Certain Preservatives in Bread
An additive used to keep some American bread soft longer is restricted in the EU and banned outright in a handful of other countries over health concerns at high doses.
Bovine Growth Hormone in Dairy
A hormone used to increase milk production in some U.S. dairy cows is banned in Canada, the EU, and several other regions.
Ractopamine in Pork
A feed additive used in some U.S. pork production to promote leanness is banned across the EU, China, and dozens of other countries.
Why the Rules Differ So Much
Much of the gap comes down to different regulatory philosophies — some countries require proof an additive is safe before approval, while others allow it until proven harmful, which produces very different ingredient lists on opposite sides of the same product category.