American brands are famous all over the world. However, the version of the product you buy in the United States is often completely different from the version sold in Europe. The European Union has much stricter food safety laws than the U.S. They have banned several additives that are still widely used in American food. This means that a company must have two completely different formulas for the same product. Here are seven of the most striking examples.
1. Heinz Ketchup
The iconic Heinz Ketchup sold in the United Kingdom is a different product from the one sold in the U.S. The American version is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. The U.K. version, on the other hand, is sweetened with cane sugar. The U.K. version also has a much simpler ingredient list. It does not contain the “natural flavorings” that are found in the American bottle.
2. Fanta Orange Soda
The difference in Fanta Orange soda is a very stark one. The American version gets its bright, neon-orange color from two artificial food dyes: Red 40 and Yellow 6. These dyes are restricted in the E.U. The European version of Fanta, by contrast, gets its more muted, pale-orange color from natural ingredients. It uses a blend of pumpkin and carrot juices as a coloring agent.
3. Doritos
The Doritos sold in the U.S. use several artificial colors and flavors. The European version of the same chip, however, has a much cleaner ingredient list. For example, the European version of a spicy Dorito will use paprika extract for its color. The American version will use a blend of artificial dyes, like Red 40 and Yellow 6.
4. Kellogg’s Breakfast Cereals
Many popular American breakfast cereals are completely different products in Europe. Kellogg’s Froot Loops in the U.S. gets its bright, vibrant colors from a cocktail of artificial dyes. These dyes are banned for use in children’s food in many European countries. The E.U. version of Froot Loops has much paler, more muted colors. It uses only natural, plant-based colorings.
5. Coca-Cola
This is one of the most famous examples of a formula change. The Coca-Cola that is sold in the United States is sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. The Coca-Cola sold in Mexico and in many European countries is sweetened with real cane sugar. Many soda fans will go out of their way to find the “Mexican Coke.” They claim that it has a cleaner and less “sticky” taste.
6. Quaker Instant Oatmeal Packets
The flavored, instant oatmeal packets from Quaker are a staple of the American breakfast. They are also packed with sugar. The “apples and cinnamon” flavor in the U.S. has a huge amount of sugar. The same product that is sold in the U.K. has a different formula. It contains a much lower amount of sugar to comply with that country’s stricter health guidelines.
7. Mountain Dew
The American version of Mountain Dew is a bright, neon-yellow color. It gets that color from the artificial dye Yellow 5. The formula also contains brominated vegetable oil (BVO). BVO is an ingredient that has been banned in food products in Europe for many years due to health concerns. The European version of the drink has a different color and a different formula.
The Two-Formula System
The difference between American and European food formulas is a clear example of two very different regulatory philosophies. The E.U. operates on a “precautionary principle.” The country bans ingredients suspected of causing harm. The U.S., on the other hand, will only ban an ingredient after it has been proven to be harmful. This has created a two-tiered system. The American consumer eats a lot of products with additives that the rest of the world has already rejected.
Are you surprised by the difference between the U.S. and the E.U. formulas? Do you ever try to find the international version of your favorite products? Let us know!
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