Eating healthy can be more of a challenge in some countries than it is in others. This can be due to numerous factors, such as living conditions, customs, and food quality in local stores, to name a few. The last point is quite a significant one, especially when it comes to the US.
A certified personal trainer and holistic nutritionist named Josh Dech turned to TikTok to discuss why certain products found in the States are banned in other countries. Formerly a licensed paramedic, Josh revealed what additives are used in popular foods, such as meat, salmon, or milk.
His video went viral and attracted over 650k views and loads of comments—people didn’t shy away from expressing their opinions on food processing in the US.
Bored Panda has reached out to Josh, and he was kind enough to answer a few of our questions. You will find his thoughts in the text below.
#1
Pork is banned due to a chemical called Ractopamine in the animal feed that increases weight before the animal goes to market, linked to major health issues. That chemical is actually banned in over 160 countries except the States
Report
59points
#2
American chicken is banned by the European Union because it's washed in chlorine
Report
53points
#3
American ground beef is banned by the European Union because of a chemical called Pink Slime that uses ammonia gas for antimicrobial properties and it's dangerous to consume and destroys your gut
Report
47points
#4
Milk is banned due to a synthetic growth hormone called rBGH made by Monsanto that increases cancer risk in humans
Report
41points
#5
Ritz Crackers are also banned due to high sodium, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, and trans fats, considered very dangerous, highly inflammatory, and carcinogenic
Report
38points
#6
Coffee Mate is also banned due to hydrogenated soybean oil and cottonseed oil which is known to have trans fats, which is bad for your heart
Report
38points
#7
Froot Loops, they're banned because of the soybean oil, sugars, coloring, and cottonseed oil which are considered dangerous in other countries
Report
36points
#8
Salmon is banned because of chemicals in the feed like methyl mercury, dioxins, and antibiotics
Report
32points
#9
Mountain Dew is also banned due to brominated vegetable oil and bromine is a chemical used in fire retardants
Report
29points