Reconsidering What We Eat

Several chemicals and additives present in foods in the United States have been banned in other countries due to health concerns. Here are ten notable examples:

1. Potassium Bromate
   • Use: Flour improver in bread and baked goods.
   • Health Concerns: Classified as a possible human carcinogen; linked to kidney and thyroid cancers in animal studies.
   • Banned In: European Union, Canada, China, and India.
   • CBS News
2. Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
   • Use: Dough conditioner in bread products.
   • Health Concerns: Breaks down into semicarbazide and urethane, which have been linked to cancer in animal studies.
   • Banned In: European Union and Australia.
   • Levels
3. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
   • Use: Emulsifier in citrus-flavored soft drinks.
   • Health Concerns: Linked to neurological issues and thyroid problems; accumulates in body tissues.
   • Banned In: European Union and Japan.
   • GoodRx
4. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
   • Use: Preservative in cereals, chewing gum, and snack foods.
   • Health Concerns: Classified as a possible human carcinogen; linked to cancer in animal studies.
   • Banned In: European Union and Japan.
   • GoodRx
5. Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
   • Use: Preservative in oils, cereals, and snack foods.
   • Health Concerns: Associated with liver and kidney damage; potential carcinogenic effects.
   • Banned In: European Union and Japan.
   • GoodRx
6. rBGH (Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone)
   • Use: Hormone injected into dairy cows to increase milk production.
   • Health Concerns: Elevates insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in humans, potentially increasing cancer risk.
   • Banned In: European Union, Canada, and Japan.
   • GoodRx
7. rBST (Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin)
   • Use: Synthetic hormone used to increase milk production in cows.
   • Health Concerns: Linked to increased risk of mastitis in cows, leading to higher antibiotic use; potential cancer risk in humans.
   • Banned In: European Union, Canada, and Japan.
   • GoodRx
8. Artificial Food Dyes (e.g., Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6)
   • Use: Color additives in candies, beverages, and processed foods.
   • Health Concerns: Linked to hyperactivity in children; potential carcinogenic effects.
   • Banned In: European Union requires warning labels; some dyes banned in Norway and Austria.
   • GoodRx
9. Olestra (Olean)
   • Use: Fat substitute in snack foods like chips.
   • Health Concerns: Causes gastrointestinal issues; inhibits absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
   • Banned In: Canada and European Union.
   • Food Revolution Network
10. Titanium Dioxide
    • Use: Colorant in candies, baked goods, and sauces.
    • Health Concerns: Classified as a possible human carcinogen when inhaled; potential DNA damage.
    • Banned In: European Union.
    • GoodRx

These discrepancies in food additive regulations highlight the varying approaches to food safety and consumer protection across different countries.