“Because of inherent limitations of science, FDA can never be absolutely certain of the absence of any risk from the use of any substance.” In fact, several food additives approved for use in the U.S. by the FDA are banned in other parts of the world.
So if you think everything in your pantry is safe to eat, think again. Here are 6 common food additives found in the U.S. that are banned in other countries.
Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
Use: whitening or bleaching agent for cereal flour and as a dough conditioner in baking; also used to make rubber products like yoga mats and shoe soles
Concerns: During baking ADA breaks down to form new chemicals, one of which, semicarbizide (SEM), is known to increase the incidence of tumors in lab rats.
Banned: European Union
Bromated flour
Use: improves gluten content in baked goods to strengthen dough and promote rising
Concerns: Studies dating back to 1982 have found that potassium bromate used in bromated flour causes cancer in lab rats and is “possibly carcinogenic to humans”
Banned: European Union, Canada, Brazil, Peru, China
Brominated vegetable oil (BVO)
Use: added to citrus drinks like Mountain Dew to keep flavor evenly distributed; also used as a flame retardant
Concerns: nervous system depressant, endocrine disruptor, causes reproductive and behavioral problems
Banned: Europe and Japan

Olestra/Olean
Use: fat-free fat replacer in foods like potato chips
Concerns: gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea; interferes with absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Banned: U.K. and Canada
Ractopamine
Use: feed additive given to livestock to reduce fat content in meat
Concerns: known to affect the human cardiovascular system, increase hyperactivity, and cause chromosomal abnormalities and behavioral changes
Banned: 160 countries (including Russia, China, Taiwan)
Recombinant Bovine growth hormone (rBGH)
Use: artificial growth hormone given to cows to increase milk production
Concerns: increased risk of breast and prostate cancer
Banned: European Union, Canada, Japan, Australia

http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/03/10/six-common-food-additives-used-in-the-us-that-are-banned-in-other-countries/