7 Foods Banned in Europe Still Available in the U.S.

Genetically Modified Foods
Although the E.U. is continuously coming under attack for policies
banning GM foods, the community is highly suspicious of genetically
modified foods, and the agro-industrial pressures that drive their use.
The problem with GM foods is that there is simply not sufficient
research and understanding to inform good public policy. In spite of
widespread GM use without apparent negative impacts in other countries,
the recent public reaction to trans-fats are reason enough to support a
precautionary principle for the food supply chain.

Pesticides in Your Food
The E.U. has acted against the worst pesticides typically found as
residuals in the food chain. A ban on 22 pesticides was passed at the
E.U. level, and is pending approval by the Member States. Critics claim
the ban will raise prices and may harm malaria control, but advocates
of the ban say action must be taken against the pesticides which are
known to cause harm to health and nevertheless consistently found in
studies of food consumption.

Bovine Growth Hormone This drug, known as rBGH for short, is not allowed in Europe. In
contrast, U.S. citizens struggle even for laws that allow hormone-free
labeling so that consumers have a choice. This should be an easy
black-and-white decision for all regulators and any corporation that is
really concerned about sustainability: give consumers the information.
We deserve control over our food choice.

Chlorinated Chickens
Amid cries that eating American chickens would degrade European
citizens to the status of guinea pigs, the E.U. continued a ban on
chickens washed in chlorine. The ban effectively prevents all import of
chickens from the U.S. into Europe. If chicken chlorination is “totally
absurd” and “outrageous” for Europeans, what does that mean for
Americans?

Phthalates and Bisphenols in plastic are really beneficial. They
help manufacturers create plastic products with the softness and
moldability needed to fulfill consumer needs. But when the food contact
additives are found in the food and liquids contained by those
plastics, trouble starts. Both the U.S. and Europe stringently regulate
food contact use of chemicals. However, the standard of approval is
different. In Europe, the precautionary principle requires that the
suppliers of chemicals prove their additives safe,
or they will be banned. Of course, although the E.U. has banned
phthalates in toys, both phthalates and bisphenol-A remain approved for
food contact uses — subject to strict regulations on their use.
Stevia, the natural sweetener The U.S. recently approved this “natural” sweetener as a food
additive. Previously, it was sold in the U.S. under the less stringent
dietary supplement laws. It has been embraced in Japan for over three
decades, but E.U. bans still stand — pointing to potential disturbances
in fertility and other negative health impacts. But the sweetener is
credited with potentially positive health effects too. Is this a case
where consumer choice should prevail?
Planned Ban: Food Dyes Many food dyes previously recognized as safe are suspected of
contributing to attention deficit disorder. Action is afoot as the UK
evaluates a ban on synthetic food colors. Regulation in the E.U. often starts through the leadership of one Member State, which pushes
the concepts up to Brussels after a proof-of-concept pilot phase. Red
40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, and Red 3
are among the food colors associated with hyperactivity.

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