The Food Divide: US vs EU

    Too often, ingredient labels go unnoticed when grabbing that favorite snack or drink at the store.  Nevertheless, food additives and chemicals put into these products to improve the appearance, flavor or shelf life, are amongst many foods in the United States, but have been banned or regulated in Europe due to health concerns. These additives and chemicals are not easily recognized but are added to make food look better, taste sweeter, or last longer. While some additives are harmless, others raise concerns about their impact. Why do food regulations vary depending on where you live globally? How can we be more informed about these additives in the food? Where can you find these additives?

 Food Additives

    According to the World Health Organization, food additives are substances added to processed foods, not normally consumed as food themselves. These substances are added to food during processing to change flavor, texture, appearance, or shelf life.

·    Main categories of additives include:

•  Preservatives to stop spoilage
• Sweeteners to replace sugar with fewer calories
•  Colorants to make food look brighter
•  Flavor enhancers to boost taste

Common Additives

    Top additives that appear in packaged foods in the United States which have been banned completely or regulated in the European Union:

• Potassium Bromate
• Growth Hormone (rBGH & rBST)
• Red 40
•  Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
• Titanium Dioxide
• Yellow 6
• Yellow 5
• Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) 

Next time you have a snack, check the label because you will spot one of these!

Why does it matter?

    Not every additive is dangerous, but eating too much processed foods can add up.

• Red #40 has been linked to hyperactivity in some children
• Artificial sweeteners have been debated for their long-term effects.
• Processed foods, with multiple additives, are linked to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

 Smart Tips for Consumers

    Try these simple steps:

• Educate Yourself
• Read the Label
• Fresh is Always Best

As the saying goes, “You are what you eat!”

In the End...

    Food additives are not going away anytime soon, but by learning what they are, you can make smarter choices every time you shop.

 

  

References:

World Health Organization. “Food Additives.” 16 Nov. 2023, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/food-additives.

Legal Clarity. “What Foods Are Banned in Europe but Not the US? - LegalClarity.” LegalClarity, 19 Aug. 2025, https://legalclarity.org/what-foods-are-banned-in-europe-but-not-the-us/

  

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