1. Artificial Trans Fats: Ingredients: Partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs). Reason for Ban: Trans fats have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular issues. Many countries have banned or limited the use of artificial trans fats in food products to protect public health.

2. Ractopamine-Treated Meat: Ingredients: Ractopamine. Reason for Ban: Ractopamine is a feed additive used in livestock to promote lean muscle growth. It is banned in several countries due to concerns about its potential impact on animal welfare and human health.

3. Olestra (Olean): Ingredients: Olestra, a fat substitute used in some low-fat and fat-free snacks. Reason for Ban: Olestra has been associated with gastrointestinal side effects, such as abdominal cramping and loose stools. Due to these concerns, it is banned in some countries.

4. Synthetic Food Dyes: Ingredients: Artificial food dyes, such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1. Reason for Ban: Some synthetic food dyes have been linked to hyperactivity in children and may pose other health risks. Several countries have restrictions on their use or require warning labels.

5. Potassium Bromate: Ingredients: Potassium bromate, a flour improver. Reason for Ban: Potassium bromate has been classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). As a result, it is banned in several countries.

6. BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene): Ingredients: BHA and BHT, synthetic antioxidants used in food preservation. Reason for Ban: BHA and BHT have been linked to potential health risks, including cancer. Some countries have placed restrictions on their use in food products.

7. Chlorine-Washed Chicken: Ingredients: Chicken treated with chlorine or chlorine dioxide during processing. Reason for Ban: Chlorine washing is used to reduce bacteria on chicken meat, but some countries ban it due to concerns about potential risks and its effects on food safety standards.

8. Refined White Flour: Ingredients: White flour, which has had the bran and germ removed. Reason for Ban: While not outright banned, some countries have regulations limiting the use of refined white flour due to concerns about its reduced nutritional value compared to whole grain flour.

9. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Ingredients: Foods containing genetically modified organisms. Reason for Ban: Some countries have restrictions or bans on GMOs due to concerns about potential environmental and health risks associated with their use.

10. Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): Ingredients: Acesulfame potassium, a calorie-free artificial sweetener. Reason for Ban: Acesulfame potassium has raised concerns about its potential impact on human health, including possible carcinogenic effects. As a result, some countries have restricted its use.

11. Farm-Raised Salmon with Artificial Coloring: Ingredients: Synthetic astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, or other artificial dyes used to color farm-raised salmon flesh. Reason for Ban: Some countries have banned the use of artificial dyes in salmon farming to preserve the natural color and nutritional value of the fish.

12. Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO): Ingredients: Brominated vegetable oil, a stabilizer used in some citrus-flavored soft drinks. Reason for Ban: BVO has been linked to health concerns, particularly regarding bromine accumulation in the body. It is banned in several countries.

Here is a short list of 30 products which contain the ingredients above, with specific brand-name examples. How many are on the plates in your home?

1. Margarine and Shortening (may contain artificial trans fats) - Example: Crisco shortening
2. Microwave popcorn (may contain artificial trans fats) - Example: Orville Redenbacher's Microwave Popcorn
3. Store-bought cookies and pastries (may contain artificial trans fats) - Example: Chips Ahoy! Cookies
4. Packaged cake mixes (may contain artificial trans fats) - Example: Betty Crocker Cake Mix
5. Non-dairy creamers (may contain artificial trans fats) - Example: Coffee-Mate Non-Dairy Creamer
6. Frozen pizza (may contain artificial trans fats) - Example: DiGiorno Frozen Pizza
7. Doughnuts and sweet pastries (may contain artificial trans fats) - Example: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
8. Fried foods (may contain partially hydrogenated oils) - Various fast-food chains and restaurants offer fried foods.
9. Processed breakfast cereals (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Froot Loops Cereal
10. Candy and chewing gum (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Skittles Candy, Trident Gum
11. Colored beverages (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Gatorade Fruit Punch
12. Fruit-flavored snacks (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Welch's Fruit Snacks
13. Processed meats (may contain potassium bromate or other additives) - Example: Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Turkey
14. Packaged macaroni and cheese (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
15. Fruit juices and fruit-flavored drinks (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Minute Maid Fruit Punch
16. Flavored yogurt (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Yoplait Trix Yogurt
17. Fruit cocktail in syrup (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Del Monte Fruit Cocktail
18. Processed cheese products (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Kraft Singles American Cheese
19. Bottled salad dressings (may contain synthetic antioxidants like BHA and BHT) - Example: Wish-Bone Italian Dressing
20. Breakfast sausages and hot dogs (may contain synthetic antioxidants) - Example: Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage, Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs
21. Canned soups and sauces (may contain BHA and BHT) - Example: Campbell's Condensed Soup, Prego Pasta Sauce
22. Processed snacks (may contain artificial trans fats and artificial food dyes) - Example: Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips
23. Cream-filled snacks (may contain partially hydrogenated oils) - Example: Hostess Twinkies
24. Energy drinks (may contain synthetic food dyes) - Example: Red Bull Energy Drink
25. Gummy candies and gummy vitamins (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Haribo Gummy Bears, Flintstones Gummies
26. Flavored syrups and toppings (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Hershey's Chocolate Syrup, Aunt Jemima Pancake Syrup
27. Artificially colored cereals and cereals with marshmallows (may contain artificial food dyes) - Example: Lucky Charms Cereal, Fruity Pebbles Cereal
28. Packaged deli meats (may contain potassium bromate or other additives) - Example: Hillshire Farm Deli Select Roast Beef
29. Certain fast-food items and deep-fried foods (may contain partially hydrogenated oils) - Examples: McDonald's French Fries, KFC Fried Chicken
30. Processed desserts and frosting (may contain artificial trans fats and artificial food dyes) - Example: Betty Crocker Chocolate Frosting