8 ingredients that are banned around the world (but not the U.S.)
You'll want to check the labels for some of these
Carrageenan
, made from red seaweed, is what makes some ice cream, yogurts and salad dressings taste creamy. It's come under fire for potentially causing digestive problems and the EU limited it in baby formula, but it's still present elsewhere in the world. That's because evidence of tummy upset was only found in , not humans.
rBST
Unless your dairy's marked USDA Organic, it comes from cows who've received rBST, an artificial hormone that causes cows to make milk. Opponents worry that there's a link to certain cancers, but the suggests that eating dairy with won't up your risk. The EU even but likely bans the substance anyway for other reasons.
Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
Bakers can use azodicarbonamide to get bread to be the right texture, but the real stems from what happens when it breaks down into another cancer-linked chemical, semicarbazide. The EU doesn't allow ADA as additive in their bread, but the limits imposed by FDA are small enough to protect everyone. The carcinogenic effect is only seen in female mice, and only in amounts much higher than people can actually consume.
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
BVO appears in some sodas, juices and sports drinks, although it's associated with high cholesterol levels and other health issues. Both Europe and Japan have banned it, but as of right now the lists BVO as safe "pending additional study." That's because scientists haven't done a lot of research on humans just yet. already ditched it, but you're better off skipping sugary beverages anyway.
PHOs
Partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) make foods like icing, candy and frozen pizza last a long time, but they also add bad, cholesterol-raising trans fats. nixed them back in 2004, and , but you should get a head start. Check labels for PHOs until the ban kicks in. Cutting them from your diet can potentially .
GMOs
Farmers use (GMOs) to better withstand the elements. currently outlaws them, but . Some top GMO crops may become other, less healthy ingredients (e.g., high fructose corn syrup), so you may want to limit ultra-processed foods, which may contain added sugar, saturated fat and sodium. Choosing real, whole foods is always your best bet.
Chlorine
Most chickens – even organic ones! — in the US get washed in chlorine to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. The though to promote more hygienic practices during farming, yet the USDA and both deem chlorination safe. A also confirmed its effectiveness in reducing salmonella.
Artificial Food Dyes
Artificial food coloring gives treats like candy, sodas and cereals their vibrant hues, but some tied them to hyperactivity in children. The in kid foods, but don't purge your snack drawer just yet. have already cut down their use, and suggests that the effects depend largely on the kid. No matter what, skip processed food for wholesome alternatives whenever you can.
Carrageenan
, made from red seaweed, is what makes some ice cream, yogurts and salad dressings taste creamy. It's come under fire for potentially causing digestive problems and the EU limited it in baby formula, but it's still present elsewhere in the world. That's because evidence of tummy upset was only found in , not humans.
rBST
Unless your dairy's marked USDA Organic, it comes from cows who've received rBST, an artificial hormone that causes cows to make milk. Opponents worry that there's a link to certain cancers, but the suggests that eating dairy with won't up your risk. The EU even but likely bans the substance anyway for other reasons.
Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
Bakers can use azodicarbonamide to get bread to be the right texture, but the real stems from what happens when it breaks down into another cancer-linked chemical, semicarbazide. The EU doesn't allow ADA as additive in their bread, but the limits imposed by FDA are small enough to protect everyone. The carcinogenic effect is only seen in female mice, and only in amounts much higher than people can actually consume.
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
BVO appears in some sodas, juices and sports drinks, although it's associated with high cholesterol levels and other health issues. Both Europe and Japan have banned it, but as of right now the lists BVO as safe "pending additional study." That's because scientists haven't done a lot of research on humans just yet. already ditched it, but you're better off skipping sugary beverages anyway.
PHOs
Partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) make foods like icing, candy and frozen pizza last a long time, but they also add bad, cholesterol-raising trans fats. nixed them back in 2004, and , but you should get a head start. Check labels for PHOs until the ban kicks in. Cutting them from your diet can potentially .
GMOs
Farmers use (GMOs) to better withstand the elements. currently outlaws them, but . Some top GMO crops may become other, less healthy ingredients (e.g., high fructose corn syrup), so you may want to limit ultra-processed foods, which may contain added sugar, saturated fat and sodium. Choosing real, whole foods is always your best bet.
Chlorine
Most chickens – even organic ones! — in the US get washed in chlorine to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. The though to promote more hygienic practices during farming, yet the USDA and both deem chlorination safe. A also confirmed its effectiveness in reducing salmonella.
Artificial Food Dyes
Artificial food coloring gives treats like candy, sodas and cereals their vibrant hues, but some tied them to hyperactivity in children. The in kid foods, but don't purge your snack drawer just yet. have already cut down their use, and suggests that the effects depend largely on the kid. No matter what, skip processed food for wholesome alternatives whenever you can.
Carrageenan
, made from red seaweed, is what makes some ice cream, yogurts and salad dressings taste creamy. It's come under fire for potentially causing digestive problems and the EU limited it in baby formula, but it's still present elsewhere in the world. That's because evidence of tummy upset was only found in , not humans.
rBST
Unless your dairy's marked USDA Organic, it comes from cows who've received rBST, an artificial hormone that causes cows to make milk. Opponents worry that there's a link to certain cancers, but the suggests that eating dairy with won't up your risk. The EU even but likely bans the substance anyway for other reasons.
Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
Bakers can use azodicarbonamide to get bread to be the right texture, but the real stems from what happens when it breaks down into another cancer-linked chemical, semicarbazide. The EU doesn't allow ADA as additive in their bread, but the limits imposed by FDA are small enough to protect everyone. The carcinogenic effect is only seen in female mice, and only in amounts much higher than people can actually consume.
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
BVO appears in some sodas, juices and sports drinks, although it's associated with high cholesterol levels and other health issues. Both Europe and Japan have banned it, but as of right now the lists BVO as safe "pending additional study." That's because scientists haven't done a lot of research on humans just yet. already ditched it, but you're better off skipping sugary beverages anyway.
PHOs
Partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) make foods like icing, candy and frozen pizza last a long time, but they also add bad, cholesterol-raising trans fats. nixed them back in 2004, and , but you should get a head start. Check labels for PHOs until the ban kicks in. Cutting them from your diet can potentially .
GMOs
Farmers use (GMOs) to better withstand the elements. currently outlaws them, but . Some top GMO crops may become other, less healthy ingredients (e.g., high fructose corn syrup), so you may want to limit ultra-processed foods, which may contain added sugar, saturated fat and sodium. Choosing real, whole foods is always your best bet.
Chlorine
Most chickens – even organic ones! — in the US get washed in chlorine to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. The though to promote more hygienic practices during farming, yet the USDA and both deem chlorination safe. A also confirmed its effectiveness in reducing salmonella.
Artificial Food Dyes
Artificial food coloring gives treats like candy, sodas and cereals their vibrant hues, but some tied them to hyperactivity in children. The in kid foods, but don't purge your snack drawer just yet. have already cut down their use, and suggests that the effects depend largely on the kid. No matter what, skip processed food for wholesome alternatives whenever you can.
You'll want to check the labels for some of these
No, you're not really eating a . This controversial ingredient and many others don't deserve all the bad hype. In fact, everything you eat is technically a chemical, including water. We talked to , MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, to find out what you really need to know the next time you hit the grocery store.