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Surprising Food Bans: These Seven Popular U.S. Foods Are Prohibited in Other Countries

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I was surprised to discover that certain foods that are commonly consumed in the United States are prohibited from being sold in other countries. These are not exotic or unfamiliar items, but rather everyday foods that people in the U.S. are familiar with and have likely enjoyed at some point.

Gatorade is

Based on information from Market Realist, specific flavors of a well-known sports drink contain Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 dyes, which are prohibited for children in Norway and Austria. In the rest of the European Union (EU), these particular types of Gatorade are required to have a warning label.

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a popular

According to Market Realist, the reason why the UK and other British Commonwealth countries have banned this guilty pleasure that Americans love is because of the yellow dyes used in it.

Quick and convenient mashed potatoes

Although they may not provide the same level of comfort as real mashed potatoes, these alternatives can still satisfy your cravings. However, a preservative called BHA prevents them from being sold in the UK and Japan, as reported by the Eat This website.

Kellogg's is a well-known brand.

Frosted Flakes are considered to be excellent, with the exception of the UK, Europe, and Japan, where they are banned. This ban is due to the presence of the preservative BHT in Frosted Flakes and several other cereals. BHT is commonly used in cosmetics and rubber items.

The brand known

Indulging in snacks that may seem harmless can be fine, except for Swiss Cake Rolls. These tasty treats are either prohibited or come with strong cautions in certain European Union countries. Market Realist states that the main concern is the presence of food dyes, such as Yellow 5 and Red 40, which are considered harmful to children. Palm oil is another factor that contributes to the restrictions or complete prohibition of these snacks.

Skittles are

Austria, Sweden, and Norway have prohibited the sale of Skittles due to the presence of Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 dyes, as mentioned previously. In the other countries within the European Union, Skittles are permitted but are required to display a warning label.

Pork produced in the United States

According to Eat This, the United States is one of the few countries in the world that still permits the use of growth hormones called ractopamine in the farming practices of raising pigs for meat.

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Photo credit: Nick DeRiso

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