Today’s PrimalMed Prescription…read the label!
What’s in our food? Some ingredients in the food we eat are allowed in the U.S., but BANNED in many other countries.
Ellen Metzger MS, RD aka The PrimalRD is BACK…and discusses one of her favorite topics…LABEL reading. Time to dig in and learn what’s REALLY in your food.
While on vacation last month, I scouted out the hotel breakfast buffet. After reading the Froot Loops label ingredients, I wondered how this product is still on the market.
I’m sure most can admit, at one time or another, Froot Loops was a breakfast favorite as a child. It tasted good, cereal colors were enticing, and I actually may have thought it counted as a fruit at one time. But back then I didn’t look at food colorings and flavorings, nor understand how sugar impacts our health – promoting cravings and fatigue. The Froot Loops cereal in the U.S. is packed with sugar (#1 ingredient), many food dyes, hydrogenated vegetable oils, processed corn… and more. BHT is used as a preservative, now banned in many countries. On more recent labels, you may see Maltodextrin, a polysaccharide derived from corn or wheat – perhaps sprayed with roundup (glyphosate), used as a filler or texturizer.
Is this the nutritional breakfast we should be feeding children? How does any cereal like this enhance learning? Perhaps the hyperactivity, lack of attention, and subsequent fatigue is simply due to excess sugars, dyes, flavorings and other processed ingredients.
Are Froot Loops banned in other countries?
Froot Loops: Banned in France, Austria, Norway and Finland
Are other ‘colorful’ cereals banned as well? Lucky Charms uses food colorings Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Red 40, despite reports of itching and hives for some.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-food-coloring-safe-for-kids/
Lucky Charms: Banned in Norway and Austria
Other colorful foods such as Pop-Tart pastries may be partially banned in the European Union because of food dyes Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40. And although still quite unhealthy from its sugar and syrups, the U.K. changed some ingredients to reflect their ‘dyes’ use beetroot, carrots and others for color.
In March 2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Advisory Committee held a hearing on the behavioral effects of synthetic food dyes, technically known as artificial food colors (AFCs). The focus of the meeting was on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), so discussion of that disorder was requested as background for understanding the data on AFCs. The committee decision (8-6 vote) was to not recommend banning AFCs or require a warning label. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3441937/
Really?? I’ll repeat that… The U.S. FDA Food Advisory Committee’s decision (8-6 vote) was to NOT recommend banning AFCs (artificial food colors) or require a warning label.
So why are so many foods and ingredients banned in other countries and not in the United States?
The European Union, and many other countries, take a precautionary approach towards evaluating food additives, banning such ingredients before they are proven to be harmful. They also conduct safety reviews on additives currently in use. There are many studies correlating certain ingredients added to foods that may be linked to possible causes of disease.
In 2002, the European Union passed a General Food Law emphasizing to protect human life and encourage other countries within the EU to explore an integrated approach regarding food safety. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provides scientific advice regarding animal health and welfare, plant health and protection, food and feed safety, and nutrition to EU policymakers while overseeing food quality and safety. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/aboutefsa
The U.S., on the other hand, focuses on the probability or likelihood of something causing harm. The U.S. food industry, additionally, has a very strong lobbying presence.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services oversees the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is responsible for the safety of more than just food, spreading themselves too thin perhaps, as many believe. They also regulate veterinary drugs, vaccines, biological products, medical devices, electronic product radiation, cosmetics, dietary supplements, and tobacco products. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/fda-basics/what-does-fda-do
The FDA uses a list of foods and ingredients that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Any item listed on the GRAS can be used by food companies to protect them from lawsuits that could occur under U.S. liability law. The FDA provides the company blanket protection from litigation by adding a product to the GRAS list.
In the U.S. “We have no regulatory mechanism to go back and evaluate all the additives in the food supply. We have a large number of additives that are grandfathered into the food supply,” - Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana an associate professor of pediatrics and adjunct professor in the department of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington.
Large companies continue to produce products that may not align with our best health interests. In 2021, PepsiCo generated more than $79 billion in net revenue which includes 25 beverages and convenience foods such as Lay's, Doritos, Tostitos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Tropicana, Mountain Dew, Quaker, etc. https://startuptalky.com/pepsico-subsidiaries/
Back in 2020, PepsiCo did remove the controversial emulsifying agent, Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) in their popular Mountain Dew Drink. The drink, however, remains high in sugar and caffeine, thus many countries still banned this product. This speaks volumes as to the unhealthy quality of this soft drink - and the prevention of disease, other countries are trying to achieve. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bvo/faq-20058236
Mountain Dew, although removing BVO: Banned in The European Union and Japan
Since Europe is much stricter over their ingredients in food than the U.S., you may not find your favorites abroad, or you may find the ingredients slightly changed or packaging claims warning of the hazards to your health.
“In some cases, food-processing companies will reformulate a food product for sale in Europe but continue to sell the product with the additives in the United States” - Lisa Y. Lefferts, senior scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a food safety advocacy organization.
Vani Hari, who blogs as the ‘The Food Babe’ is a consumer advocate, food activist and spokesperson for changing the modern-day food industry.
Foods banned in other countries…may surprise you.
1. U.S. Chicken - Banned in U.K. and European Union
U.S. chicken is routinely washed in a chlorine solution before its market ready. This antimicrobial treatment reduces the possibility of salmonella contamination and other bacteria that can lead to foodborne illness. The EU is not concerned about chlorine consumption per se. Rather, it questions why the chicken must go through deep cleaning in the first place. Allowing such a process paves the way for a reduction in due diligence at the farm. It further characterizes the U.S. use of chlorine as a symptom of the nation's dependency on chemical interventions. Instead, the EU wants meat producers to lean harder into better sanitation in the earlier steps of the process as part of the effort to control the spread of pathogens. There should be a “high level of safety throughout the food chain, from farm to fork,” not only cleaning the meat heavily at the end of the process to compensate for insufficient hygiene standards earlier. https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2006.297
2. U.S. Milk - Banned in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, European Union
Many countries question the milk produced in the U.S., where dairy cows are fed a synthetic hormone Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), also known as Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rBST) to increase milk production. Cows treated with rBGH produce milk that contains elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IFG-1), which may increase the risk of breast cancer and other cancer types. https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/chemicals/recombinant-bovine-growth-hormone.html. On the bright side, this practice of using rBGH in U.S. dairy operations is decreasing. The U.S. Organic Industry prohibits the use of synthetic bovine growth hormone (labeled USDA Certified Organic)
3. Farmed salmon - Banned in Austria, New Zealand
Salmon farming has long been scrutinized by sustainability advocates because of harsh conditions in which the fish are raised. Many claim farm-raised salmon are kept in crowded cages, fed processed fish feed and astaxanthin for color. Some fisheries claim to have higher standards, but once again, we need to know where and how our products are sourced.
4. Maraschino cherries - Banned in Norway, Finland, France, Austria, the U.K.
The American version of this sweetened cherry is the forbidden fruit in some countries due to its artificial food dye Red 40 - one of the most widely used food dyes, as well as the most controversial - linked to allergies, migraine, and mental disorders in children.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22176942/
5. Skittles - Banned in Europe, Norway, European Union
In addition to its dyes, this colorful candy contains Titanium dioxide, an additive used in consumer products to enhance opacity and brightness. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified titanium dioxide as a possible carcinogen to humans after studies showed the substance caused more lung tumors in rats. But since titanium dioxide is not confirmed to be toxic in humans, the U.S. FDA still allows its use under certain levels in food.
6. M&M’s - Banned in European Union
Along with Skittles, M&M's boast some of the highest food dye amounts, according to research from Purdue University scientists published in Clinical Pediatrics. Outside of the U.S., these bright M&M shells lose some of their brilliance as the E.U. uses natural dyes, which makes them a bit less vibrant but safer to eat. This all came about after studies linked artificial dyes used in American products to behavioral issues in children. After a 2014 petition for Mars Inc. to give the U.S. the same quality ingredients in M&Ms as in Europe, the company said it would stop using artificial dyes, although that still has not changed. https://www.cnn.com/2014/01/07/health/mms-candy-artificial-dyes/index.html
On a side note, M&M's are banned in Sweden for an additional reason: A Swedish court ruled that the font used for the packaging is too similar to the font used by the Swedish chocolate, Marabou.
7. Gatorade - Banned in Norway, Austria; Banned in European Union for infants and children
This popular sports drink is banned because it contains food dyes Yellow 5 and Yellow 6. Although they are banned in the EU for infants and children, they must carry a warning label if present in foods and drinks.
8. Hawaiian papaya - Banned in European Union
This fruit was genetically modified to resist the ringspot virus, which destroyed U.S. crops in the 1990s. Although there are many debates about whether genetically engineered produce is safe or not, the European Union heavily regulates genetically modified products.
9. Twinkies - Banned in Finland, Norway, and Austria
The distinctive golden hue of this popular sponge cake contains Yellow 5 coloring, which may be linked to behavioral issues and allergic reactions. EU requires that products containing these dyes must carry a warning label.
10. Little Debbie Swiss Rolls – Banned in Norway and Austria; Banned in European Union for infants and young children
This popular U.S. dessert, other than a long list of ingredients containing sugar (#1 ingredient), corn syrup (#2 ingredient), hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors and more - contains food dyes Yellow 5, Red 40, known to cause adverse effects in children. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22864801/
11. CoffeeMate – banned or strictly limited in Europe
Trans fats like the partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils, linked to heart disease, were officially banned in the U.S. in 2018. However, they may still linger in the U.S. food supply. Many creamers may also contain carrageenan, a seaweed-derived thickening agent that has been linked to inflammation and possibly cancer. https://www.cornucopia.org/carrageenan/
As much as unflavored CoffeeMate may be an issue, take a look at the ingredients of CoffeeMate Snickers liquid coffee creamer - a rich blend of chocolate, nut and caramel flavors to “enhance your cup of coffee and delight your guests”.
SUGAR, WATER, COCONUT OIL, SODIUM CASEINATE (A MILK DERIVATIVE), 2% OR LESS OF PROPYLENE GLYCOL, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SALT, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, SODIUM STEAROYL LACTYLATE, POLYSORBATE 60, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, COLOR ADDED, SUCRALOSE.
To Summarize…
In our day to day lives, we see supermarket shelves stocked with new products, while other products are removed or replaced with new and improved labels. We get swayed by ‘super’ marketing ploys, and all too often grab that box of colorful cereal. Are we thinking about the food we’re eating and its possible effect on mental and physical health?
Is the probable cause of chronic disease so hard to figure out?
For years, I have found it quite interesting, how patients’ gut symptoms improved after spending a few weeks in Europe. Perhaps it’s because other countries have laws banning certain foods and ingredients. Many studies show correlations of such ingredients and health issues, even though studies may fall short in showing causations in humans. Nevertheless, we don’t need formal randomized control studies to show us the ill effects of such ingredients. We only need to look at ourselves - our gut, our immunity, our energy, our ability to focus – and judge how we feel.
WE, as consumers, can drive the market.
How do we know what food additives are safe and which to avoid? We can seek out resources and advocacy groups to help us shop. https://www.cspinet.org/page/chemical-cuisine-ratings
Our understanding of ingredients - will make us educated shoppers.
So, read the label or plan a trip… abroad!
Ted Metzger, MD is a practicing board certified Radiologist as well as founder and owner of PrimalMed, LLC. PrimalMed educates and advocates on Metabolic Health and Wellness, as seen through the lens of a curious radiologist.
Ellen Metzger MS, RD - the other half of the PrimalMed team, is an Integrative Registered Dietitian, addressing ancestral and primal nutrition principles as drivers of metabolic health and wellness.
The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on the PrimalMed website.
Thank you for this most enlightening article. I learned so much and I would want everyone to read this so they can know what is in our food.
What an awesome read!