When it comes to food, every country has its quirks, but American cuisine often leaves international visitors scratching their heads—or holding their stomachs. From overly processed snacks to sugar-loaded meals, some U.S. staples don’t translate well abroad. Let’s dive into 23 American foods that not only fail to impress overseas but may also make you question their place in your diet.
1. Mountain Dew
Loaded with brominated vegetable oil, a flame-retardant, this citrus soda is banned in Europe and Japan due to health risks like nerve problems and memory loss.
2. American Cheese
Often described as “plasticky,” American processed cheese is no food match for the sharp, natural flavors of European cheddar. Its lack of authenticity doesn’t win many fans.
3. Twinkies
These spongy, cream-filled snacks are criticized globally for their artificial flavor and high sugar content. One Redditor compared eating a Twinkie to “ingesting moisturizer cream”.
4. Sweet Potato Casserole
Marshmallows on sweet potatoes? This sugary American Thanksgiving food leaves other cultures baffled. “Why make a savory vegetable so sickeningly sweet?” is a common question.
5. Casseroles with Canned Soup
Using “cream of” soups as a base for casseroles—like green bean or tuna—is puzzling to those unfamiliar with this salty shortcut.
6. Froot Loops
Artificially dyed and flavored, this colorful American cereal is banned in multiple countries for the chemical additives linked to hyperactivity and potential health risks – really not meant to be put in food.
7. Farm-Raised Salmon
Fed with synthetic chemicals and antibiotics to enhance its pink hue, farm-raised salmon from the U.S. is banned in Austria and New Zealand for its questionable practices.
8. Ranch Dressing
Americans’ obsession with dousing all food – from salads to pizza – in ranch dressing is a mystery to many. Its overpowering flavor masks the taste of the actual food.
9. Root Beer
Described as tasting like “mouthwash” or “toothpaste,” root beer is an acquired taste that often fails to charm international visitors.
10. Imitation Cheese
American products like “cheese food” and “cheese spread” are heavily processed and full of additives, making them a far cry from traditional cheese. This earns them disdain from cheese-loving nations.
11. Pop Tarts
Criticized for being dry and flavorless with artificial fillings, Pop Tarts are often likened to “flavored cardboard” by international taste-testers.
12. Fluff
This sugary marshmallow spread is viewed as an unnecessary calorie bomb. While it pairs well with peanut butter, its appeal stops at the U.S. border.
13. Boxed Mac and Cheese
Bright yellow food dyes in Kraft Mac & Cheese are banned in parts of Europe for potential health risks, leaving many questioning its safety. American food standards aren’t bad per se, they’re just….different.
14. Circus Peanuts
These banana-flavored, peanut-shaped candies are more puzzling than appealing. Their chalky texture and odd taste make them a hard pass abroad.
15. Jerky
While protein-packed, jerky’s tough texture and overly salty flavor are often likened to chewing on shoe leather by foreigners.
16. Instant Ramen
The cheap, sodium-packed noodles fail to impress those familiar with the authentic flavors of Japanese ramen, calling them a pale imitation. The irony of the situation is that instant ramen isn’t even an American food, it was created by Momofuku Ando; a Taiwanese born Japanese man.
17. Hot Pockets
These microwaveable snacks are criticized for their artificial taste and gooey texture, making them an unappetizing option for anyone with access to fresher alternatives.
18. High-Fructose Corn Syrup
This sweetener, found in countless American foods, is heavily restricted in Europe due to its links to obesity and diabetes.
19. Pumpkin Spice Everything
Seasonal pumpkin spice lattes, cookies, and even Spam (this one shocked us too) are met with confusion abroad. Many say pumpkin is fine—but not in every food imaginable.
20. Maraschino Cherries
Dyed with Red #40, a banned additive in many countries, these bright-red cherries are more artificial than appetizing.
21. Chewing Gum
No, not just food – American gum often contains BHA, a preservative linked to cancer in rats. Many European nations prefer to keep it out of their snacks altogether.
22. New York Street Hot Dogs
Tiny, overly processed, and lacking flavor, NYC’s iconic hot dogs don’t live up to the hype for many international visitors.
23. Deep-Dish Pizza
This Chicago favorite is labeled more as a casserole than pizza by purists who view it as straying too far from Italian culinary traditions.
Food for Thought
While many of these American foods are beloved stateside, their reception abroad highlights stark differences in culinary standards and tastes. From overprocessing to excessive sweetness, these items offer a glimpse into why U.S. food sometimes gets a bad rap. Perhaps it’s time to rethink some of these staples—or enjoy them in moderation with an open mind.
Read More: 30 things Europeans do that leave Americans raising their eyebrows