Food Freedom: Breaking Down "Banned Foods"

By: Holly L. Thacker, MD • Posted on September 10, 2024

As Americans, we take pride in our freedom and many of us can recite the Bill of Rights. It's important to remember that while we cherish our freedom and variety of food choices in the United States, other countries have different regulations regarding food due to health reasons. And some of these foods are ones that Americans are ingesting regularly, and based on the exploding diabesity epidemic in the US and the increase in chronic diseases in adults and children, it's crucial to be mindful of what we eat.

Everything You Need To Know About Banned Foods in the US (and other countries)

Some foods are prohibited in certain countries for religious reasons, but in the US, we have the 1st Amendment rights of free speech and religious freedom. While some banned foods are restricted due to concerns about additives and substances, many are prohibited and we should thus take heed.

Food can be like medicine, so just like we would not want to ingest the wrong medication or dose, we need to be aware of what food we are ingesting to nourish our bodies. It is NOT simply calories in calories out - and NOT all food is equal. Sure most of us know fast food, processed foods, and trans-fats are bad for our health. But how many are aware of limiting or avoiding the highly processed inflammatory seed oils? Or that all sweeteners are not the same? And even something as simple as food dyes may be carcinogenic.

What foods are banned in other countries but not in the US?

Chewing Gum

Singapore bans chewing gum to maintain clean streets, though some chewing gum for medicinal reasons is allowed.

Sprinkles

Having several young grandchildren who like “treats” and “snacks,” I have taken a look at foods that attract children that I hadn't given much attention to since my children were younger. Mac and Cheese and sprinkles top my granddaughter’s favorite snacks. In Great Britain and other countries, “American sprinkles are banned” as they contain erythrosine - also called FD&C Red No. 3 in the US. This additive makes the sprinkles red, but it can also lead to reported hyperactivity in children. My daughter-in-law likes to bake and has looked for sprinkles with natural colors.

Mac and Cheese

As I mentioned, my granddaughter loves Mac and Cheese. However, some countries have banned American boxed Mac and Cheese due to the food dyes. Now cheese is loaded with calcium which is great for growing children and women concerned with bone health.

Also, cheese dips like Con Queso are filled with Yellow dye 5 & Yellow dye 6 and are banned in some European countries as they are linked to severe allergies.

Pickles

Yellow dye 5 is used in coloring pickles, and fermented foods are great for the gut microbiome so I’ve been on the hunt for pickles that are color-free or with natural turmeric.

Pop-Tarts, Fruit Loops and Skittles

Kid favorites like Pop-Tarts, Fruit Loops and Skittles are also banned in a few countries due to the inclusion of artificial colors with Yellow dye 5 and Yellow dye 6 being of the most concern.

Rare burgers

Rare burgers are banned in some countries due to E.coli risks. While steak tartare is a favorite in France, rare or raw meat can carry toxoplasmosis risk in pregnant women and immunocompromised people.

Pork

In over 100 countries, American-made pork has been banned due to the use of substances like ractopamine, which is used to promote growth in pigs. These substances are not required to be listed on labels, so it's important to buy pork from a trusted farmer or look for the American Grassfed Association (AGA) logo, which prohibits the use of ractopamine. Some people also avoid pork products for religious reasons. It's worth noting that pork and bacon are high in vitamin K2/M7, which is important for bone health.

Pre-processed French Fries

In some countries, pre-processed French fries are banned if they contain azodicarbonamide, a substance added to extend their shelf life. Azodicarbonamide can be harmful to individuals diagnosed with asthma.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid purchasing food with ingredients you can't pronounce. It's best to buy whole foods and cook from scratch. However, so many people are time-pressed and cooking is not a skill that everyone has or enjoys!

Instant potatoes

Many processed foods contain preservatives to offer a long shelf life, but they offer no health benefits and may pose some risks. For example, some brands of instant potatoes use the preservative Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), which is a known carcinogen and should be avoided. BHA has been added to some cereals and is thus banned in several countries but not the US. Many cereals marketed to children are filled with sugar and preservatives and should be avoided.

Sliced, white bread

The only food more American than Mom’s Apple Pie is sliced white bread. However, in many countries, American-made white bread contains potassium bromate, which is used to speed up the proving and baking processes. Potassium bromate is banned in many countries due to its link to damage to the nervous system and kidneys. Anyone with kidney impairment should avoid excessive potassium intake.

Crackers

Furthermore, certain American cracker products are banned in many European countries including Hungary due to the use of heavily chemically altered hydrogenated cottonseed oil. It's generally recommended to avoid seed oils such as cottonseed, sunflower, corn, canola, and soybean oil and opt for healthier alternatives like olive oil and avocado oil. Coconut oil, rich in medium-chain triglycerides, can be ingested in moderation. Fats from butter and beef tallow are fully saturated fats.

Brownie mixes

Some American brownie fudge mixes are banned in Europe due to the use of cottonseed oil and soybean oils.

Soybeans

As many are embracing vegan diets, the demand for soybeans has increased. But many European countries have banned genetically modified soybeans. These GMO soybeans have been banned in almost half of the countries in the European Union as this genetic modification has been linked to some health concerns. However, soy protein can lower cholesterol and is a vegan protein alternative.

Mountain Dew

The popular US soda Mountain Dew has been banned in many European and Japanese countries due to its ingredients, which include Yellow 5 color, high fructose corn syrup, caffeine and other preservatives. Mountain Dew has removed some brominated vegetable oils from their formula.

Salmon

Our friends down under in Australia and New Zealand have banned farm-raised salmon due to the petrochemicals used to pinken up the salmon. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fats and thus better to buy natural wild salmon.

Pasta

Who doesn’t enjoy an Italian pasta dish? Well the EU and Australia have banned some boxed pasta that contain azodicarbonamide. It is a bleaching agent used in flour but some countries consider it potentially carcinogenic. Azodicarbonamide makes the color of the pasta pop and the dough softer, but the reality of azodicarbonamide is that this chemical is considered to be toxic by many countries. If you are looking for pasta free of azodicarbonamide, Papa Vince is non-enriched, non-fortified, unbleached and has no folic acid spray.

There is a range of substances banned in Europe but allowed in the US including potassium bromate, titanium dioxide, potassium bromide, brominated vegetable oil, propylparaben and azodicarbonamide. So you must read the labels and choose wisely!

The truth about salt, sugar and saturated fat

Many folks believe that processed food is unhealthy due the salt, sugar and saturated fat content, but here's the truth:

Salt: It's okay in moderation, and not all types of salt are equal!
Sugar: There's excessive sugar in food, and there is NO essential sugar or essential carbohydrate, but we do have essential fatty acids and essential amino acids.
Saturated fat: While our bodies need essential fats, we should focus on consuming healthy fats and avoid chemically altered ones. Seed oils are high in unsaturated fats, which have double bonds in their fatty acid chains, unlike saturated fats like butter and tallow.

Substances you need to be aware of

Substances you need to be aware of include but are not limited to:

Titanium dioxide
Carboxymethylcellulose
Polysorbate 80
Microplastics
Yellow 5
Blue 1
Potassium bromate
Seed oils and any trans fats
Parabens
Atrazine
Propylene glycol
Azodicarbonamide
High Fructose Corn Syrups (opt to use honey as long as not in infants and toddlers)

Does the US ban any foods that other countries don't?

You may ask does the US ban any foods that Europe and other countries do not? The answer is yes.

Sottish Haggis

In Scotland, many Scots love haggis because it is their national dish! It is actually stuffed sheep lungs and heart. Haggis has been banned completely in the US as a US agriculture law bans the consumption of animal lungs.

Raw, unpasteurized milk

Raw, unpasteurized milk is banned in Canada and some parts of the US due to concerns about listeria and salmonella. However, some people are advocating for the ability to purchase raw milk due to allergies and gut health. Pregnant women need to avoid some soft cheeses due to listeria concerns. Food freedom fighters are highlighting the benefits of some raw milk. Thankfully, we have kefir, yogurt and several other fermented foods that are beneficial for the gut microbiome!

It is best to get your vitamins, minerals and nutrients from whole foods. If you do not think you get all of your nutrients from your diet, be sure to talk to your healthcare clinician before starting any new supplements. The most common supplement I recommend for patients in Northern Latitude is Vitamin D. Next is magnesium, especially if you suffer from insomnia, migraines or leg cramps. Getting enough magnesium may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, we have so many interesting and nutritious foods to nourish our bodies and souls.

Be Strong, Be Healthy, Be in Charge!

-Holly L. Thacker MD

Holly L. Thacker, MD, FACP is nationally known for her leadership in women’s health. She is the founder of the Cleveland Clinic Women’s Health Fellowship and is currently the Professor and Director of the Center for Specialized Women’s Health at Cleveland Clinic and Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. Her special interests are menopause and related medical problems including osteoporosis, hormone therapy, breast cancer risk assessment, menstrual disorders, female sexual dysfunction and interdisciplinary women’s health. Dr. Thacker is the Executive Director of Speaking of Women’s Health and the author of The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menopause.

women's health, dr. holly thacker, Dr. Thacker, foods, healthy foods, food dye, foods banned in US, obesity, obesity epidemic, diabesity

Columns