The United States is known for its culture of freedom and personal choice. But this freedom sometimes extends to controversial products and practices that many other countries have deemed unsafe, unethical, or environmentally harmful.
While Americans may see these things as everyday staples, they’re considered unacceptable and sometimes dangerous abroad.
From food additives to baby products, here are 17 things banned abroad that you can legally do or purchase in the U.S., along with insights into why other nations say “no” to them.
1. Hormone-Treated Beef
In the U.S., cattle are often treated with growth hormones like rBST and rBGH to increase meat production. While this improves profitability for American farmers, several studies have raised concerns about links between hormone-treated meat and cancer.
That’s why countries in the European Union, as well as others like Australia and Japan, have completely banned the import and sale of such beef.
Meanwhile, it’s widely available in American grocery stores without any special labeling requirements.
2. Farm-Raised Salmon with Artificial Dyes
Wild salmon develop their rich pink color by eating krill and shrimp. In contrast, farm-raised salmon are typically fed pellets containing synthetic dyes, usually canthaxanthin or astaxanthin, to mimic this color.
While this is approved in the U.S., nations such as Australia and New Zealand ban artificially dyed salmon due to concerns about misleading consumers and potential allergic reactions.
3. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
BVO is used in some U.S. beverages like citrus sodas to keep flavoring evenly distributed. However, it contains bromine, a chemical also found in flame retardants.
Studies suggest BVO may build up in human tissues and lead to neurological issues and thyroid problems.
As a result, it’s banned in Japan, the EU, and India, but still found in some American drinks, although its use has been declining due to growing awareness.
4. Potassium Bromate in Bread
To improve dough strength and bread volume, many U.S. bakeries use potassium bromate. While efficient for baking, this chemical has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
That’s why it’s banned in countries like the UK, Canada, and Brazil. In the U.S., it remains in use, often without mention on ingredient labels.
5. Ractopamine in Pork
Ractopamine is a feed additive that helps pigs grow leaner muscle mass more quickly. It’s legal in the U.S., but over 160 countries, including China, Russia, and the entire European Union, ban its use due to concerns about adverse effects on the cardiovascular system and human health. Despite mounting global pressure, American pork producers continue to use it widely.
6. Flame Retardant Chemicals in Furniture
Flame retardants like PBDEs are added to American couches, mattresses, and electronics to reduce flammability.
While this may improve fire safety, these chemicals can leach out over time and accumulate in human tissues, potentially causing hormone disruption and developmental delays.
Countries like the UK and Canada now impose strict limits or total bans on their use, while U.S. regulation is minimal.
7. Skittles and Other Artificially Colored Candies
Brightly colored American candies like Skittles often contain synthetic food dyes such as Yellow 5, Red 40, and Blue 1.
While legal in the U.S., studies have suggested links to behavioral issues in children and potential cancer risks.
European nations like Norway and Austria have banned or require warning labels for these dyes. In the UK, companies often use natural colorants in place of synthetic ones for the same products.
8. Arsenic-Based Animal Feed
Though arsenic is a known toxin, it’s still used in small amounts in certain animal drugs to promote growth and improve the color of poultry meat.
While the FDA has taken steps to limit its use, the U.S. still permits trace arsenic in animal feed. In contrast, countries like the UK and those in the EU ban arsenic in animal agriculture entirely due to public health concerns.
9. Olestra (Fat Substitute)
Olestra is a synthetic fat used in snacks like “light” potato chips. While it enables fat-free indulgence, it can also cause gastrointestinal issues and inhibit the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Due to these health effects, it’s banned in Canada and the UK. The U.S. allows its use but requires a warning about potential laxative effects on packaging.
10. Chlorinated Chicken
To prevent contamination, American poultry is often washed in chlorine or other chemicals. The European Union considers this a sign of poor hygiene during farming and has banned the import of U.S. chicken for decades.
The EU emphasizes improving hygiene at the source rather than using chemical washes at the end of the process.
11. High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
HFCS is used in countless American products, from soft drinks to bread due to its low cost and long shelf life. However, it’s been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
While not banned outright in many countries, including those in Europe and the UK, HFCS is either highly regulated or replaced with cane sugar or natural sweeteners.
12. Cosmetics with Hazardous Ingredients
The U.S. permits numerous cosmetic ingredients that are restricted elsewhere, including parabens, formaldehyde, and coal tar dyes linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and skin irritation.
The European Union bans over 1,300 chemicals in personal care products, while the U.S. only bans about 30, leaving American consumers exposed to substances that wouldn’t be allowed in many countries.
13. Plastic Microbeads
Tiny plastic microbeads were once common in exfoliants and toothpastes. Though the U.S. banned their production in rinse-off products in 2015, existing stock and other products may still contain them.
These particles pollute waterways and are nearly impossible to remove from the environment. Countries like Canada, the UK, and New Zealand have issued full bans, including on import and sale.
14. Certain Baby Walkers
In Canada, wheeled baby walkers are banned due to safety risks such as falls, injuries, and potential developmental delays.
However, in the U.S., they remain available in stores and online. Pediatricians often advise against their use, but no federal ban exists, and many parents still purchase them, unaware of the risks.
15. Bleached Flour
Many American flours are bleached using chemicals like benzoyl peroxide or chlorine dioxide to improve texture and whiteness.
Some countries, including the UK and China, ban these agents due to potential health concerns and a preference for less chemically processed foods. In the U.S., such flour is standard in baked goods and restaurant items.
16. Raw Milk Sales
Raw, unpasteurized milk is sold in several U.S. states though others ban it entirely. Advocates claim it’s more nutritious, but the CDC warns of serious bacterial risks, including E. coli and Salmonella.
In contrast, the retail sale of raw milk is prohibited in Australia, Scotland, and many European nations due to public health considerations.
17. Personal Gun Ownership
While not a product per se, it’s worth noting that gun ownership in the U.S. is protected under the Second Amendment.
In stark contrast, countries like Japan, the UK, and Australia have strict gun control laws that either heavily restrict or outright ban private firearm ownership.
The cultural and legal divide around this issue is one of the most notable differences between the U.S. and other nations.
Alicia Richards