Food - News
The Surprising Reason Frosted Flakes Are Banned In Other Countries
By KATHERINE MCLAUGHLIN
Frosted Flakes are not legal to sell in certain places outside of the U.S., like Japan and the European Union. This is because the cereal contains BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), which is a food preservative used mainly in cereals, chips, shortening, margarine, and nuts.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant, a substance that can prevent the slow damage of cells and keep the item from going bad. However, food scientists have studied BHT for its potentially carcinogenic properties, and though the evidence remains inconclusive, it hasn't stopped some countries from banning its use altogether.
However, the U.S. FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) official stance remains that BHT is not harmful in small quantities. While General Mills, being influenced by public pressure about the harmful effects of BHT, announced they would remove BHT from their cereals in 2015, other cereals like Kellogg's Frosted Flakes still used BHT to keep the breakfast staple from going stale.