In a new book entitled Rich Food, Poor Food, authors Mira and Jason Calton have created a comprehensive list of what they call “Banned Bad Boys” which refers to commonly used ingredients in up to 80% of all American convenience food that other countries have banned for containing dangerous chemicals that have been deemed toxic and in some cases illegal. The book also gives information as to what countries have banned what ingredients and why.
A few examples:
Olestra is commonly used in low/no fat foods but has been banned in the United Kingdom and Canada because it’s known to cause serious gastrointestinal issues.
Over 100 countries have banned brominated vegetable because it is linked to essentially every form of thyroid disease. Brominated vegetable oil is found in Mountain Dew, Fresca, and Squirt sodas.
Azodicarbonamide has been been banned in most European countries for causing asthma and is considered so dangerous in Singapore that its use can trigger $50,000 and potentially a 15 year prison sentence. It can be found in frozen dinners, frozen potato, and bread products. Azodicarbonamide is also use to make bleach and foamed plastics like those found in a yoga mat.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytouluene (BHT) have been banned in England in Japan as they are made from petroleum and are known cancer-causing agents. These are found in Post, Kelloggs, and Quaker brand cereals.
The official web site for the FDA.
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