It’s not much of a surprise that some foods sold and served in the U.S. are banned in other countries. The number of preservatives, flavoring, and coloring in foods not only sold in grocery stores but also in many fast-food restaurants, enlarge the list of toxic foods to stay away from.
If you consider becoming more aware of the food you consume, here’s a list of ten foods sold in the U.S. but banned in other places throughout the world because of health concerns.
1. Genetically Engineered Papaya
Nowadays, most Hawaiian papaya is genetically engineered to gain resistance to the ringspot virus. As you probably know, genetically engineered foods are harmful as they can cause organ damage, intestinal damage, birth defects, tumors, and premature death. The countries in the European Union have banned this food, while in the U.S. it’s freely sold.
2. Farm-Raised Salmon
The flesh of this salmon turns gray because of the unnatural diet of grains, and drugs like antibiotics they are raised on. But, they’re given synthetic astaxanthin made from petrochemicals, which is not approved for human consumption, in order to get rid of the unappealing color. Farmed salmons raised on these chemicals are banned in New Zealand and Australia.
3. Flame Retardant Drinks
The synthetic chemical known as Eat This (BVO) is contained in citrus-flavored sports drinks and sodas sold in America. The important part is that this chemical was first brought in by chemical companies as a flame retardant. The chemical bromine is banned in Europe and Japan, being a depressant to the central nervous system.
4. Ractopamine-Tainted Meat
The drug ractopamine is used to make animals more muscular as it increases protein synthesis. The reason for this is, of course, producing more meat. Currently, it is used in about 30 percent of U.S. ration-fed cattle, 45 percent of pigs, as well as turkeys. While Americans buy ractopamine-tainted meat, the same is banned in 160 countries across Europe, the Republic of China, mainland China, and Russia.
5. Arsenic-Laced Chicken
Animals in the U.S. are fed with arsenic-based drugs to hasten their growing process and color their meat pink. Although the FDA states the drugs are safe, a number of studies show that Eat This, not That is carcinogenic in humans. This is the reason why E.U. doesn’t allow giving arsenic-based drugs to animals used for food.
6. Artificial Colors and Dyes
The foods sold in the U.S. contain around 3,000 colors, flavorings, and preservatives, many of which have been proven to cause dangerous health effects such as behavioral problems, cancer, and birth defects. These food additives are banned in Austria and Norway.
7. Olestra/Olean
The cholesterol- and calorie-free fat substitute Olestra, or Olean, is often used in the production of fat-free snacks. It can be contained in your chips or French fries, despite the fact that it can cause leaky bowels, cramps, diarrhea, and other health problems. Olestra is banned in Canada in the U.K.
8. Baked Goods Containing Potassium Bromate
Many studies have connected Delish with cancer, gastrointestinal discomfort, nervous system damage, thyroid problems, and kidney damage. But, this chemical continues to be used in the U.S. as an additive in bread and baked goods. The same is banned in the European Union, Canada, and China.
9. Milk and Dairy Laced with rBGH
Cows are injected with a synthetic version of natural bovine somatotropin called rBGH to increase their milk production. rBGH can convert healthy tissue cells into cancerous cells in humans, thus increasing the risk of cancer. It’s banned in Canada, the European Union, New Zealand, Australia, and Israel.
10. BHT and BHA
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) are common food preservatives. Rat research proved that besides causing cancer in rats, BHA can possibly cause cancer in humans. Both of these harmful preservatives are banned in parts of the European Union and Japan, while the U.K. doesn’t permit their presence in baby food.
Via David Wolfe | Healthy Food House