Banned In Other Countries But Not the US?

A friend passed along a link to an article that really alarmed me!  There are more harmful ingredients in the food we eat here in the US that are banned in other countries.  Why does the US allow this??

I know that it is frustrating when you hear on the news or read in the newspapers and online, of foods that were once “good for you” that are now bad, etc.  You think, “What else is going to end up being bad for us?” or “I ate that as a little kid and have been feeding my children that…oh no!”  The best thing that you can do for yourself and your family is to become well-educated.  I try my best, especially for my boys, to make sure that I feed them healthy food, not filled with preservatives and all of that other junk.  Add these “no-no”s to your list of ingredients to look out for when food shopping or eating out.

1. Yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 1 and blue 2 – these additives are found in food items from cakes, candies, macaroni and cheese (read my post about Kraft HERE), medicine, sports drinks, soda, cheese and even pet foods.  They are used to make the food more appealing BUT are made from coal tar.  GROSS.
2. Olestra – found in certain fat free potato chips, this fat substitute has been banned in Canada and the United Kingdom because it depletes our fat-soluble vitamins, taking away important micro-nutrients that we need.  It also makes you have to go to the bathroom – as in oily leakage of the #2 variety.  Sorry if TMI, but…
3. BVO or Brominated vegetable oil – found in sports drinks and citrus-flavored sodas, consuming BVO may lead to thyroid issues, autoimmune disease, and cancer.  BVO’s main ingredient, bromine, is a poisonous chemical that is considered both corrosive and toxic. It’s been linked to major organ system damage, birth defects, growth problems, schizophrenia, and hearing loss – why BVO has been banned in over 100 countries.
4. Azodicarbonamide – say that fast three times!  In a rush to bleach flour?  This is what one would use to quicken the process.  Linked to asthma, this product is banned many countries – try using this in Singapore and you will get yourself a hefty fine of up to half a million dollars and possibly 15 years in prison.  Is it really worth it????
5. Arsenic – in our chicken!  The FDA permits arsenic in chicken feed to promote growth, improve efficiency in feeding the birds, and boost pigmentation.  Yet another reason to buy organic poultry.  It’s been outlawed in the EU since 1999 – when are we going to learn?

Enough to make you (feel) sick?  I know…I take a little more time when food shopping now.  If I do purchase processed foods, I look at the ingredients carefully.  Usually, if you cannot pronounce the ingredient, it isn’t too good for you.

Listen, I am in no way an expert, but I am just trying to educate myself and provide the healthiest food options possible for my family.