I was surprised to discover that some common foods in the United States are prohibited in other countries. I initially thought these banned foods would be unfamiliar to me, but it turns out they are everyday items that most Americans have likely consumed at some point. Other countries have made it illegal to sell these foods in their stores.
Gatorade is
The Market Realist website states that some flavors of the widely consumed sports drink contain Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 dyes, which are not allowed for children in Norway and Austria. In the other countries of the European Union (E.U.), these specific types of Gatorade are required to have a warning label.
Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is a popular
According to Market Realist, the reason why this beloved guilty pleasure that Americans enjoy is prohibited in the UK and other British Commonwealth countries is due to the presence of certain yellow dyes.
Mashed potatoes that are prepared quickly
Although these mashed potatoes may not compare to the comforting taste of real ones, they can still serve their purpose. However, a preservative known as BHA prevents them from being sold in the UK and Japan, as stated by the Eat This website.
Kellogg's is a well-known and popular brand.
Frosted Flakes are considered great, except in the UK, Europe, and Japan where they are prohibited. Market Realist states that 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.
Little Debbie is
Eating snacks that are usually seen as innocent guilty pleasures is generally fine, except for Swiss Cake Rolls. In certain countries in the European Union, these rolls are either banned or come with strong warnings. The main reason for this is that they contain food dyes, such as Yellow 5 and Red 40, which are considered harmful to children. Another factor contributing to the restrictions or bans is the use of palm oil in these rolls.
Skittles is
Austria, Sweden, and Norway have prohibited the sale of Skittles due to the presence of Yellow 5 and Yellow 6 dyes, which we previously mentioned. In other countries within the European Union, Skittles are permitted but are required to have a warning label.
Pork meat from the United States
According to Eat This, the United States is one of the few countries globally that still permits the use of growth hormones, specifically ractopamine, in the farming practices of pigs raised for meat.
The most disappointing omissions from the 2024 Oscar nominations
Musical groups lacking any founding members
Image credit: Nick DeRiso
Additional content can be found on Taste of Country's website. For more information,