8 foods we eat in the U . S . that are banned in other countries
3 . Brominated vegetable oil : Makes food dye stick to liquid , but also may cause birth defects and major organ damage .
Found in : Sports drinks and citrusflavored sodas . Why it ’ s dangerous : Bromine is a chemical used to stop carpets from catching on fire , so you can see why drinking it may not be the best idea . BVO is linked to major organ system damage , birth defects , growth problems , schizophrenia , and hearing loss . Where it ’ s banned : In over 100 countries .
4 . Potassium bromate ( or bromated flour ): Great for impatient bakers , bad for your kidneys and nervous system .
Found in : Wraps , rolls , bread crumbs , bagel chips , flat breads . Why it ’ s dangerous : Derived from the same harmful chemical as brominated vegetable oil , brominated flour is used to decrease baking time and reduce costs . Only problem is , it ’ s linked to kidney damage , cancer , and nervous system damage . Where it ’ s banned : Europe , Canada , and China