When people refer to the United States as the “Land of the Free,” it’s not just a slogan in many ways, it’s quite true.
While some countries are more progressive on certain issues, America allows a surprising number of things that are banned elsewhere around the world.
From naming your child something wildly unique to indulging in sugary snacks that raise eyebrows abroad, the U.S. offers a wide range of personal freedoms that other countries simply don’t.
Here are 17 things you can legally do in the United States that might get you fined, arrested, or worse in other parts of the world.
1. Name Your Baby Whatever You Want
In the U.S., baby naming is a creative free-for-all. Whether you choose something classic like “James” or opt for “Apple,” “North West,” or “Moon Unit,” you won’t face any legal trouble.
This isn’t the case everywhere in Denmark, for example, parents must choose names from an approved list.
Other countries, like Germany or Iceland, also have naming laws designed to protect children from ridicule.
2. Use Potassium Bromate in Bread
Potassium bromate is a chemical used to improve the texture and rise of bread dough and it’s perfectly legal in the U.S.
However, it’s banned in many countries including the European Union, India, and China due to concerns that it may be carcinogenic.
While it helps make bread fluffier, health advocates argue it’s not worth the potential risks.
3. Serve Ketchup in School Cafeterias
In the U.S., ketchup is as common in school cafeterias as milk cartons and mystery meat. But in France, ketchup is restricted in schools and only allowed with specific meals like French fries.
French officials banned it in most school meals to preserve the integrity of their national cuisine and reduce sugar intake among children.
4. Sell Farm-Raised Salmon with Synthetic Additives
Farm-raised salmon is widely available in American supermarkets. To enhance its color, U.S. producers often use a pigment called astaxanthin.
However, countries like New Zealand and Australia have banned this practice due to insufficient research on its long-term safety.
In these nations, only wild-caught salmon or fish raised without synthetic coloring agents are allowed.
5. Turn Right on Red
In most parts of the U.S., drivers can turn right at a red light after stopping a rule that helps keep traffic moving efficiently. But in countries like the U.K., Australia, and much of Europe, this practice is illegal.
Even some U.S. cities like New York and Washington, D.C. are reconsidering it due to pedestrian safety concerns.
6. Celebrate Valentine’s Day Freely
Americans freely celebrate Valentine’s Day with chocolates, flowers, and heart-shaped everything.
However, in some Islamic countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, Valentine’s Day is banned for promoting Western values and what some see as immoral behavior. In these countries, celebrating the holiday can result in legal trouble.
7. Buy Wheat Thins and Similar Snacks
Wheat Thins are a pantry staple for many Americans, but they’re banned in the U.K., Japan, and several European countries due to the preservative BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene).
Though not conclusively proven harmful, BHT is suspected to be a carcinogen and is restricted in places with stricter food safety standards.
8. Commit Adultery Without Legal Consequences
While adultery may be frowned upon morally, it’s not a criminal offense in most of the U.S. (though 17 states still have outdated laws on the books).
In contrast, countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan impose severe penalties for adultery including imprisonment and, in extreme cases, capital punishment.
9. Eat Twinkies
Ah, the classic Twinkie spongy, sweet, and nostalgic. But this American treat is banned in countries like Norway and Finland due to its artificial colors, specifically yellow dyes.
The European Union requires warning labels on foods containing these additives, which has led to reduced availability of such products.
10. Buy Incandescent Lightbulbs
Although many U.S. states encourage the use of energy-efficient lighting, incandescent bulbs are still legal and widely available.
Other nations, like those in the European Union, Brazil, and Russia, have phased them out to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.
11. Use Coffee-Mate Creamers
Coffee-Mate, the non-dairy creamer found in break rooms across America, is banned in several countries, including Austria and Hungary.
The issue lies in its use of hydrogenated oils, a source of trans fat that increases the risk of heart disease and other health issues.
While U.S. labels often say “0g trans fat,” this is only because amounts under 0.5g per serving don’t need to be reported.
12. Use Plastic Shopping Bags
Plastic bags are still available in many U.S. states, though a growing number are implementing bans or fees.
Countries like China, Kenya, and Rwanda, however, have gone much further, banning single-use plastic bags entirely or requiring biodegradable alternatives. The U.S. is catching up, but still lags behind in strict environmental legislation.
13. Add Red Dye 3 to Food
Red Dye 3 is used in candies, cereals, and other brightly colored American snacks. However, it’s banned in the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand due to studies linking it to behavioral problems in children and potential cancer risks.
Even California has recently moved to ban it, but it’s still found in many foods across the U.S.
14. Wear a Mullet Hairstyle
Yes, really mullets are legal in the U.S., and some even wear them proudly. But in places like Iran and North Korea, the hairstyle is considered a symbol of Western decadence and is banned, along with skinny jeans and other “capitalist” fashion trends.
In these countries, grooming laws are used to enforce conservative social norms.
15. Use Tobacco and E-Cigarettes
While the dangers of tobacco are widely recognized, the U.S. still allows its use for those over 21. In contrast, Bhutan went as far as banning tobacco completely until 2020.
The U.K. is now gradually raising the legal age for tobacco purchases, effectively phasing it out for future generations. France, too, is taking steps to ban e-cigarettes.
16. Drink Milk With Artificial Hormones
In the U.S., many dairy cows are treated with artificial growth hormones like rBGH or rBST to increase milk production.
This practice is banned in countries such as Canada, Australia, Japan, and across the European Union, where officials question its impact on human health and animal welfare.
17. Drink Mountain Dew With BVO
Mountain Dew is an iconic American soda known for its citrusy kick and its controversial ingredients. One of those is brominated vegetable oil (BVO), used to stabilize the drink’s flavor.
This additive is banned in about 30 countries, including India and those in the European Union, because of potential health risks associated with bromine, a chemical also found in flame retardants.
Alicia Richards