Kellogg's Frosted Flakes (and other cereals) are restricted or reformulated in countries like the UK, Japan, and parts of Europe primarily due to the preservative Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), considered potentially harmful by stricter food regulatory bodies, despite the FDA deeming it safe in small amounts in the U.S.; while not always outright banned, they're often sold with different, BHT-free recipes overseas.
Frosted Flakes are banned in the United Kingdom, Japan, and a few other European countries because they contain BHT, which helps maintain the properties of the food when it's exposed to air.
Wheat Thins and cereals like Frosted Flakes are banned in the United Kingdom, Japan and parts of Europe because of a chemical called BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), which is used as a flavor enhancer. The foods we eat are tested every day in laboratories, like one 13News visited on the Purdue campus.
BHT is a chemical that is used to preserve foods such as cereal so that they stay fresh longer. In fact, BHT can be found in a lot of Kellogg cereals, not just Frosted Flakes. Examples include Rice Krispies, Froot Loops, Lucky Charms, Cheerios, Apple Jacks, and more.
For years, Europe has blocked imports of American foods containing substances like artificial growth hormones, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), titanium dioxide and potassium bromate, citing potential human health risks and animal welfare concerns.
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Many people say it's banned in Europe, but petrolatum is only banned when the refining history comes into question. If the full refining history cannot be determined, it is banned. There are also certain contaminants, like carcinogens, that the European Union won't allow in petrolatum products.
Sure, the word "Frosted" already implies that there's a bit of sugar in this ingredient list, but the actual amount might surprise you. One cup of Frosted Flakes contains a whopping 12 grams of sugar — and all 12 grams are added sugars. That's nearly a quarter of the average daily recommended intake.
A final report reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that BHT exposure in animal feeding studies was associated with harm to the liver and kidneys, and in other studies linked to development of liver and lung tumors. Skin exposure was associated with skin irritation and harm to lung tissue.
The protests come in the wake of a new California law known as the California School Food Safety Act that bans six potentially harmful dyes in foods served in California public schools. The ban includes all of the dyes in Froot Loops, plus Blue Dye No. 2 and Green Dye No. 3.
Frosted Flakes, as well as Rice Krispies and several other Kellogg brand cereals, contain a preservative called BHT.
If you are travelling to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you. You can, however, bring a limited quantity of fruit and vegetables as well as eggs, egg products and honey. Restricted quantities of fish or fish products are also allowed.
At first glance the ingredients in Frosted Flakes in the U.S. and U.K. look nearly identical. The main difference is the addition of the preservative BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) in the U.S. version.
The American version of white fudge-covered Oreos contain the artificial whitening ingredient Titanium Dioxide - which was BANNED in Europe after finding evidence it has the ability to damage DNA, leading to cancer.
Read Ingredient Labels
Always check packaged food labels for the presence of BHT, which is often listed as “butylated hydroxytoluene” or under its acronym. Butylated hydroxytoluene or BHT is often listed on products that need preservatives, such as cereals, snack foods, chips, and baked goods.
“Frosted Flakes are officially banned in the U.K., Japan and some European countries as the contain BHT a chemical linked to endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity and more” This product isn't banned in the US, you can make the choice for your family.
These additives are banned in the EU but not in the U.S. Animal studies suggest that high doses of BHA and BHT may increase the risk of several different cancers. But trying to prove this link in humans isn't easy.
Propyl gallate is a preservative used in vegetable oil, meat products and chewing gum, among other products. It may cause hormone disruption and has been linked to an increased risk of asthma, hyperactivity and even cancer.
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Now there's two and a half grams of fat in the Cheerios and no fat in the frosted flakes. Cheerios has about twenty-four grams of carbs whereas the frosted flakes has about thirty-five. And then the frosted flakes have about two grams of protein whereas the Cheerios have eight.
Did you know Frosted Flakes are banned in the UK, Japan, and several European countries? Why? It's because of BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), a preservative that's considered potentially carcinogenic and restricted in those regions. This is just one example of why so many American cereals aren't available abroad.
Lightening methods
The most popular beauty products often contain sake and rice bran, which contain kojic acid. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved a specific combination of active ingredients for skin-whitening cosmetics used by the general Japanese public. These are mainly arbutin and kojic acid.
Under European law, aluminium can be used in antiperspirants at a concentration of 6.25% and 10.6% in spray and non-spray products.
Koreans use gentle, effective alternatives to retinol like Bakuchiol, Peptides, Ginseng, Adenosine, and antioxidants (Vitamin C, Green Tea), focusing on hydration (Hyaluronic Acid) and barrier support (Squalane, Snail Mucin) to achieve anti-aging results without irritation. These ingredients boost collagen, improve firmness, and smooth texture, making them great for sensitive skin or those avoiding retinoids.