Category: International law

The food additive E110, known as Sunset Yellow FCF, faces a wide range of regulatory approaches globally, with Norway standing as one of the few nations with a definitive ban. Other countries and regions, including those in the European Union, have implemented mandatory labeling requirements and restrictions due to health concerns, particularly linked to hyperactivity in children.

In late 2023, UK trading standards officers seized thousands of dollars worth of illegally imported US confectionery and drinks, including Mountain Dew, due to banned ingredients. This highlights the complex food safety laws and the key differences that explain why the original Mountain Dew is banned in England.

Over 30 countries have banned the cultivation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), reflecting diverse national approaches to food safety, environmental concerns, and agricultural policy. This article examines which country bans GMOs and the nuances of these restrictions, revealing that many nations have complex regulations rather than outright prohibitions.

Over 600 million people annually fall ill from unsafe food, according to the World Health Organization, driving increased scrutiny over food additives globally. A growing number of countries and regions are responding to consumer demand and scientific evidence by banning or severely restricting artificial food dyes, which have been linked to health concerns ranging from hyperactivity in children to potential cancer risks. This shift represents a divergence in regulatory approaches and reflects a worldwide push toward cleaner food labels and greater consumer transparency.

Article 26 of the Third Geneva Convention mandates that prisoners of war receive a diet 'sufficient in quantity, quality and variety to keep prisoners of war in good health and to prevent weight loss'. However, the actual number of calories a POW receives is not specified and has varied wildly across different conflicts and captors throughout history.

Over 64 countries around the world have some form of restriction or labeling requirement for GMOs, but only a smaller number have outright bans on cultivation or import. Understanding what countries are banning GMO foods requires navigating a complex global patchwork of regional and national regulations.

According to the NCD Alliance, Mexico has one of the highest burdens of diet-related noncommunicable diseases and obesity in the world, which spurred bold government action to address it. This has led many to question what country banned junk food outright, but the reality is more nuanced, involving a complex web of targeted regulations rather than a total prohibition.

Since 1954, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the commercial use of tonka beans in food due to concerns over its coumarin content. This means that while some countries enjoy this versatile spice, its use is heavily restricted in others, raising the question: where is tonka banned?

Despite common public misconceptions, no country currently has a nationwide ban on the use of monosodium glutamate (MSG). Although Pakistan temporarily banned the substance in 2018, this ban was later lifted in December 2024 following a scientific review.

Despite a widespread internet rumor suggesting a mass prohibition, Mountain Dew has never been banned in 100 countries. The misinformation stems from regulatory decisions regarding certain ingredients, most notably brominated vegetable oil (BVO), a former component of the American formula. The drink is sold globally, but its recipe is adapted to meet different national food and safety standards.