Introduction
Food safety is an important issue, and it’s important to be aware of the ingredients that have been banned in the U.S. due to their potential health risks. In this article, we’ll be discussing the 6 most dangerous food ingredients that have been banned in the U.S. These ingredients have been linked to a variety of health issues, ranging from cancer to organ damage. We’ll also discuss why these ingredients have been banned and what alternatives are available. By understanding the risks associated with these ingredients, you can make informed decisions about the food you eat and ensure that you and your family are eating safe and healthy meals.
6 Most Dangerous Food Ingredients That Have Been Banned in the U.S. — Eat This Not That
When it comes to food, it’s important to know what you’re eating. Unfortunately, some food ingredients can be dangerous and have been banned in the U.S. Here are 6 of the most dangerous food ingredients that have been banned in the U.S.
1. BHA and BHT
BHA and BHT are preservatives used to extend the shelf life of food. They are often found in cereals, crackers, and other processed foods. These preservatives have been linked to cancer and other health issues, so they have been banned in the U.S.
2. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
BVO is a food additive used to keep citrus-flavored sodas from separating. It has been linked to memory loss, skin and nerve problems, and other health issues, so it has been banned in the U.S.
3. Azodicarbonamide
Azodicarbonamide is a food additive used to bleach flour and make bread dough more elastic. It has been linked to asthma and other respiratory issues, so it has been banned in the U.S.
4. Olestra
Olestra is a fat substitute used in low-fat snacks. It has been linked to cramps, diarrhea, and other digestive issues, so it has been banned in the U.S.
5. Red Dye #3
Red Dye #3 is a food coloring used to give food a red color. It has been linked to cancer, so it has been banned in the U.S.
6. Potassium Bromate
Potassium bromate is a food additive used to strengthen dough and make it rise. It has been linked to cancer, so it has been banned in the U.S.
It’s important to be aware of the ingredients in the food you’re eating. These 6 dangerous food ingredients have been banned in the U.S. for good reason, so it’s best to avoid them.
We like to think that everything we put into our carts at the grocery store is safe to eat, but this hasn’t always been the case.
Over the years, the FDA has banned certain food ingredients that were found to be harmful to consumers. While no longer used in the U.S., some of these ingredients can still be found in other countries, so make sure to avoid them when traveling.
We’ve rounded up the most dangerous food ingredients that have been banned.
And don’t miss 8 Fast-Food Chains That Use the Highest Quality Meat.
Banned since 1954 in all U.S. products, Coumarin is a chemical that used to be added for flavor in many sweets. “It is found in tonka beans and extract of tonka beans, among other natural sources, and is also synthesized,” reports the FDA.
Coumarin has been known to cause liver damage and be associated with blood thinning. In 2008, the FDA had to issue a news release for consumers to avoid “Mexican vanilla,” a product made from tonka beans vs. beans from the vanilla plant. Coumarin is not banned in every country—it can still be found in some parts of Latin America.
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You can now enjoy your cottage cheese worry-free because 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate is banned in the U.S. That’s right, this food additive used to be a “comp. of a cottage cheese coagula,” as reported by the FDA. NIH details how the chemical compound 8-hydroxyquinoline, when exposed to iron, caused DNA strand breakage in cultured human lung cells.
As of 1941, monochloroacetic acid is no longer allowed in U.S. food because of its toxicity. A former preservative in alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, this synthetic chemical is now only permitted in food packaging up to a certain level.
“Food containing any added or detectable level of monochloroacetic acid is deemed to be adulterated in violation of the act based upon trade correspondence dated December 29, 1941 (TC-377),” states the FDA.
A former ingredient in root beer, safrole was banned decades ago as a result of its potential link to cancer. It comes from the sassafras plant, so oil of sassafras is about 80% safrole, according to the FDA.
“Food containing any added safrole, oil of sassafras, isosafrole, or dihydrosafrole…is deemed to be adulterated in violation of the act based upon an order published in the Federal Register of December 3, 1960,” states the FDA. A world without root beer floats is one we don’t want to be a part of, so it’s a good thing safrole is out of the picture.
Thiourea is a synthetic chemical that the National Toxicology Program reports as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” It has long been banned in the U.S., but it used to be “an antimycotic for use in dipping citrus,” according to the FDA. This essentially meant that citrus fruits were coated in Thiourea to prevent browning and bacterial decay.
Formerly used as an antioxidant in food, Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) was banned in the U.S. in 1968. The natural chemical can be found in certain plants, but the synthesized, commercial product was the one used in food. Several studies in both animals and humans reported NDGA to be associated with cystic renal disease and liver damage.
Mia Salas