Most Americans assume that if something is sold in a grocery store, it has met the same basic safety standards as food sold in other countries. But food regulation varies considerably around the world. The US still allows additives, chemicals, and processing methods that are banned or restricted in the EU, Canada, and elsewhere. And in some cases, the same brands sell differently formulated versions of the same products overseas.
One thing to keep in mind: “banned” can mean different things depending on the example. Some substances are explicitly prohibited, while others were never approved. Certain restrictions also have more to do with animal welfare or production methods than whether a food is considered unsafe for people.
US rules are changing, too. Since 2024, the FDA has revoked its approvals for Red Dye No. 3 and brominated vegetable oil, opened an accelerated review of titanium dioxide, and announced a voluntary industry phase-out of six synthetic dyes. Several states have passed their own food additive restrictions as well, and major manufacturers have begun reformulating US products. Details in this article reflect the regulatory and product landscape as of publication.