Despite being trusted kitchen essentials, many grocery store staples in the U.S. still contain additives that are banned in other countries due to health risks. Here’s a closer look at some of the most familiar foods and the controversial ingredients they contain.
Bread – Potassium Bromate
Potassium bromate is used in many store-bought breads to help dough rise and hold its shape. While effective for baking, it has been classified as a potential human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
This additive is banned in the European Union, the U.K., Canada, and other countries, yet remains legal in the U.S. without a mandatory warning label.
Sodas – Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Popular citrus-flavored soft drinks have historically used brominated vegetable oil to keep flavoring evenly distributed. BVO has been linked to neurological problems and hormone disruption in animal studies.
It’s banned in the E.U. and Japan, but until very recently, could still be found in drinks sold in American stores. While some brands have phased it out, not all have followed suit.
Cereal – Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Some boxed cereals, especially those targeted at children, include BHA as a preservative to extend shelf life. The National Institutes of Health considers BHA “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen,” and it’s banned in countries like the U.K. and parts of the E.U. Despite this, it continues to be used in U.S. breakfast products.
Candy – Red Dye No. 3
Red Dye No. 3 is commonly found in brightly colored candies, fruit snacks, and even holiday treats. It was banned from use in cosmetics by the FDA in 1990 due to links to cancer in lab animals, but bizarrely, it remains legal in foods. The European Union prohibits its use altogether in food products.
Snack Cakes – Propylparaben
Used to prevent mold and extend shelf life, propylparaben is found in some snack cakes and packaged baked goods. Research suggests it may disrupt hormone function and reproductive health. While the E.U. banned its use in food, U.S. regulations still allow it in certain processed products.
Chips – Titanium Dioxide
Used to whiten or brighten the appearance of some chips and other processed snacks, titanium dioxide is a coloring agent that has been banned in the European Union over concerns it may damage DNA. In the U.S., it’s still permitted without any specific warning to consumers.
Instant Noodles – Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)
TBHQ is a preservative used to prolong shelf life in instant noodles and frozen foods. Though approved in small amounts, studies have raised concerns about its potential to cause tumors and negatively impact the immune system. It’s restricted or banned in some countries, but continues to appear in American grocery staples.
What You Can Do
Many of these ingredients persist in the U.S. food supply due to regulatory gaps and lobbying pressure. Reading labels, choosing organic or minimally processed foods, and supporting brands that commit to clean ingredients are key ways to limit your exposure. Growing consumer awareness is already prompting some companies to reformulate—proof that informed shoppers can drive change.
