9 Common U.S. Ingredients That Are Illegal in Other Countries

BROMINATED VEGETABLE OIL (BVO)

This food additive has long been banned in Europe and Japan, but is labeled as ‘generally recognized as safe,’ in the U.S.—although it’s one of the questionable ingredients that can turn up in supposedly healthy snacks. It’s used in certain sodas and sports drinks to keep citrus flavoring from separating out. ‘Several companies have removed BVO from most of their beverage offerings,’ says Amidor.

‘In 1970, the FDA removed BVO from their GRAS (generally recognized as safe) list and made it allowable on a temporary basis pending further studies.’ Since then, it’s landed back on the GRAS list. ‘BVO is still poorly studied, but animal studies do indicate that it is transferred through breast milk and may lead to issues with the heart, liver, and behavioral development,’ Amidor adds.