Some foods that seem totally normal in your local store are actually banned abroad due to serious health and safety concerns. While these items are widely available in many countries, others have outlawed them because of links to cancer, heart disease, allergies, or toxic contamination. From brightly coloured snacks filled with artificial dyes to chemical-laced sodas and hormone-injected meat, these so-called everyday foods might be putting your health at risk without you realising it. This list breaks down the most controversial everyday foods banned in other countries and why experts recommend reading labels carefully and making more informed food choices.
10 everyday foods banned in other countries
Potassium bromate in bread
Used to make dough rise faster, potassium bromate is a common bread additive in India and the US. But it’s considered a potential carcinogen. That’s why countries like the UK, Canada, Brazil, and the EU have banned it in all bakery products due to long-term cancer risk.
Farm-raised salmon
Farm-raised salmon are often fed antibiotics and synthetic colour to appear pink. Studies have linked them to high levels of PCBs and dioxins. That’s why Australia and New Zealand restrict this type of salmon, favouring wild-caught versions that are less contaminated and more nutritionally beneficial.
Kinder Joy and Kinder Surprise
The toy-filled Kinder Surprise eggs are banned in the United States due to choking hazards, as food products cannot legally contain non-edible parts inside. While Kinder Joy is allowed in some areas due to its split packaging, traditional Kinder Surprise remains illegal in the U.S.
Instant noodles with MSG
Popular brands of instant noodles often contain MSG and TBHQ preservatives, which have been linked to nausea, headaches, and potential neurological issues in sensitive people. While not globally banned, several European countries have imposed restrictions or require explicit labelling due to health concerns.
Artificial food dyes
Bright-coloured candies and snacks often use food dyes like Red 40 and Yellow 5, which are linked to hyperactivity in children and allergic reactions. Many of these dyes are banned or restricted in the EU and UK, while still widely used in other countries.
Ractopamine pork
Ractopamine, a drug used to increase lean meat in pigs, is banned in the EU, China, and Russia. It can cause heart palpitations and muscle tremors in humans if consumed in excess. Over 160 countries prohibit pork treated with ractopamine, but it’s still common in the U.S.
Fugu fish
Also known as pufferfish, fugu is banned in the EU due to its deadly tetrodotoxin content. Even trained chefs risk serving it improperly. One wrong slice can result in death within hours. Despite the danger, it remains a prized delicacy in Japan under strict regulation.
Mountain Dew
Some versions of Mountain Dew and citrus sodas use brominated vegetable oil (BVO) to keep flavours mixed. But BVO is also a flame retardant and can build up in fat tissue. That’s why Japan and the European Union have banned it in all food products.
Genetically modified foods (GMOs)
Many processed foods contain GMOs—corn, soy, or canola genetically altered to resist pests or herbicides. While considered safe by some regulators, countries like France, Germany, and Russia ban or heavily restrict GMOs due to long-term environmental and health concerns, especially regarding biodiversity.
Raw milk
Raw milk, or unpasteurised milk, can contain bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. While fans claim it has better nutrients, health agencies warn it can be dangerous—especially for kids and pregnant women. That’s why countries like Canada, Australia, and parts of the U.S. have banned its retail sale.Also read| How a bowl of salt in fridge can stop smell and spoilage in monsoon
