If you’ve ever traveled abroad and noticed that your favorite snacks taste or look different—or, dare we say, better—there’s a reason for that. The U.S. has long been criticized for allowing artificial additives and preservatives that other countries have outright banned.
But in recent months, there’s been a shift. With growing pressure from public health advocates and movements like “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA), the U.S. is finally starting to crack down on some of the worst offenders in our food supply.
Why Does the U.S. Allow Additives That Other Countries Ban?
Food safety regulations vary wildly from country to country, and the U.S. has historically taken a more lenient approach. While the European Union and other nations operate under a precautionary principle—meaning a chemical has to be proven safe before it’s approved—the U.S. system works in reverse.
Here, many additives are considered “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) without extensive independent research, allowing companies to use them until proven harmful.
This leads to some wild differences in what’s allowed:
· Froot Loops: In the U.S., Froot Loops contain artificial colors like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1. In contrast, the Canadian version uses natural colorings such as paprika extract and turmeric, reflecting stricter regulations on artificial additives in Canada.
· Baby Formula: European regulations prohibit certain sugars and require higher DHA content in infant formulas compared to the U.S. standards. This results in differences in nutritional profiles and ingredient compositions between European and American baby formulas.
· Heinz Ketchup: The U.K. version of Heinz Ketchup is free from high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and artificial additives, whereas the U.S. version contains HFCS and additional flavorings.
· Doritos: American Doritos are made with artificial dyes derived from petroleum, such as Red #40, Blue #1, and Yellow #5. In the U.K., these dyes require a warning label and are often replaced with natural colorings like paprika extract and annatto.
· Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes: The U.S. version contains the preservative BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), linked to potential health risks, while the U.K. version omits this additive due to stricter regulations.
Regulatory Bodies and Their Approaches
The biggest reason for these differences? How each country’s regulatory agencies operate.
· United States (FDA): The Food and Drug Administration oversees food safety but operates under a system where many additives are deemed “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by industry experts, allowing companies to self-certify the safety of new additives without comprehensive FDA oversight. This approach has led to concerns about the presence of potentially harmful substances in the food supply, as covered by FoodFight USA.
· European Union (EFSA): The European Food Safety Authority employs a precautionary principle, requiring thorough evaluation and proof of safety before approving any food additive. This “guilty until proven innocent” stance prioritizes consumer health and results in stricter regulations and bans on additives permitted in the U.S.
The result? The U.S. has a long list of additives still in circulation that other countries phased out years ago.
Future Restrictions and the Influence of the MAHA Movement
Thanks to increasing public pressure and state-level actions, change is (finally) happening. The MAHA movement and growing consumer awareness have pushed policymakers to start addressing some of the worst additives in American food.
Here’s what’s likely coming next:
· More Bans on Harmful Additives: Beyond artificial dyes, expect closer scrutiny of chemicals like potassium bromate and titanium dioxide, both of which have been linked to potential health risks.
· Stricter Labeling Laws: Consumers may soon get clearer, more transparent labels about what’s in their food, making it easier to make informed choices.
· Reformulated Processed Foods: As more states implement bans and major brands respond to public demand, companies will be forced to reformulate their products—just like they’ve already done for international markets.
America’s food safety regulations are finally facing the scrutiny they deserve. While we’re still a long way from catching up to Europe’s standards, the momentum is undeniable. Whether it’s because of activist pressure, consumer demand, or state-level legislation, food manufacturers are being forced to rethink what they put in our food.
And if they can make a cleaner, healthier version for other countries, why shouldn’t we demand the same? The tide is turning—now it’s just a matter of how fast.
