American Foods That Are Banned in Europe Due to Health Restrictions

Going to the grocery store and purchasing safe food products is becoming harder every day. Many processed foods in the supermarket contain ingredients that can be severely hazardous to our health, such as artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Reading labels is increasingly becoming a necessity when shopping for food. 

Many American snacks, especially the ultra-processed ones, are even banned in Europe. Not because of international marketing strategies, but because of strict health restrictions. It’s really bizarre to think that the classic snacks we consume every day aren’t even allowed on the kitchen counters of other countries. Take note of these American snacks that are banned in Europe due to being made with dangerous ingredients so that you can be more alert about your health.

Little Debbie and Hostess 

These two American brands are rivals in the market, and they are known for their popular Twinkies, Cupcakes, Swiss Rolls, etc. However, the names Little Debbie and Hostess probably wouldn’t ring a bell to a European, since they are restricted in many countries on said continent. The problem with these American baked products is the dyes used in these products: Yellow 5 and Red 40. Some Nordic European countries have even banned Twinkies. European health regulators have identified hazardous preservatives in these American sweets, making them a no-no.

Coffee-Mate and Some Dairy Products

This coffee creamer is banned in six different European countries. It may seem harmless, but Coffee-Mate contains some hydrogenated oils that mimic dairy creaminess. These oils promote cardiovascular problems and heart disease due to their trans fats.

Some American dairy products are also banned, not only in Europe but also in Canada and many other countries. This is due to a genetically created growth hormone called rBGH that many companies use for their dairy products. It makes cows produce more milk and therefore increases production at a low cost. However, rBGH can potentially increase the risk of cancer, and it also harms the health of animals, making it a logical decision to ban it in many regions of the world.

Mountain Dew

This very popular soda is highly controversial due to its former flame-retardant content. Yes, you read that right—a chemical used in plastics and textiles that delays fire spread and toxic fumes.

Mountain Dew contains a vegetable oil called bromine that has been used in sodas for a very long time. Bromine can cause neurological issues such as memory loss along with skin deterioration and hormone imbalances. Bromine is supposed to be found in electronics, not sodas. Luckily, Mountain Dew removed this dangerous chemical six years ago, but Europe took the step of banning products with bromine ages ago.

Ritz Crackers

This salty and buttery snack is banned in six different European countries, just like Coffee-Mate, because, once again, they contain those same oils with trans fats. The hydrogenated cottonseed oil found in Ritz Crackers is bad for your cholesterol and increases the risk of heart disease.

Even though trans fats have been banned in America for more than a decade, regulations say that if one serving contains less than 0.5 g of these fats, you’re allowed to sell it. On the other hand, Europe doesn’t have limitations and prohibits this hazardous oil completely.

Skittles 

This colorful product isn’t so colorful in other parts of the world. Skittles in Europe had been reformulated because the American ones contain artificial dyes and titanium dioxide, the latter being a white mineral used for paints, cosmetics, and plastics. Using this pigment as a food additive increases the risk of cancer, according to specialists in the matter. And the artificial dyes used to make Skittles shiny and appealing can even cause behavioral problems in children. You can still find Skittles in Europe, but with a fixed formula that only uses natural dyes. As it should be.

The Bottom Line:

Typical American products such as Skittles and Mountain Dew are banned in several European countries due to stricter health safety precautions. Some of these products can severely affect your health due to the artificial dyes and chemicals they contain.