As summer time peaks and People start to trickle again from their European getaways, the social media trip pics are interspersed with movies touting the advantages of European meals over American meals. Normally, these movies make a very good level — meals rules are typically stricter within the European Union, resulting in extra transparency and higher meals high quality.
“The European meals system typically emphasizes conventional, minimally processed meals, and clearer meals labeling rules,” explains Lena Bakovic, MS, RDN, CNSC, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. “Europeans additionally are inclined to devour extra complete meals, and fewer ultra-processed merchandise.”
However in fact, the European meals system isn’t good both. So how will we separate truth from fiction? Listed below are 4 main variations relating to the American vs. European meals programs — and two commonly-held myths that don’t maintain up.
A Story of Two Businesses
A giant a part of the rationale why there’s such a giant distinction between European meals vs. American meals comes all the way down to how meals rules are made. American choices about meals security are largely made by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration (FDA), which manages each danger evaluation and danger administration.
Within the EU, alternatively, these two duties are divided: The European Meals Security Authority (EFSA) convenes scientific panels of impartial consultants to make its danger assessments, that are then offered to the European Fee. The Fee considers these information alongside social, political, technological, and financial components earlier than making EU meals rules.
These European strategies are bolstered by legal guidelines mandating the EFSA to re-evaluate all meals components licensed to be used earlier than 20091. Within the U.S., there isn’t a such authorized mandate. In consequence, the FDA typically adheres to its historic choices quite than reassessing new proof — till pressed to take action by shopper demand, similar to by means of petitions or lawsuits.
Need extra well being information delivered to your inbox? Join the e-newsletter for extra well-researched, non-toxic dwelling steering and sensible wellness recommendation.
The Flaws of GRAS Designation
An added variable resulting in an absence of oversight within the U.S. is the “Usually acknowledged as secure” (GRAS) designation. In an effort to fast-track sure substances and components, producers can, in some instances, “self-affirm” the GRAS designation by convening their very own professional panel to assessment potential security considerations. In these instances, the FDA isn’t required to carry out its personal exams, which may result in biased choices.
In Europe, quite the opposite, strict testing is required earlier than any new substance hits the market. The EU regulation as a complete depends on the precautionary precept when approaching danger administration, which implies that if there are cheap grounds for concern about potential hurt to human well being, proactive measures could be taken to reduce danger — even when scientific proof isn’t but conclusive2.
General, it’s honest to say that the EU tends to have a extra strong method to regulation than the U.S. However to grasp what this implies in observe, let’s take a better take a look at grocery store cabinets.
4 Main Variations Between the European and American Meals Techniques
1. American beef is laced with probably cancer-causing hormones.
In 1989, the European Communities tried to ban U.S. beef from {the marketplace} attributable to the usage of artificial development hormones like rBGH and rBST3. These hormones have been authorized within the U.S. since 1993, however formally joined the listing of meals components banned in Europe in 1990. In 1997, the U.S. and Canada took the choice to the WTO Dispute Settlement Physique, which dominated in opposition to Europe, saying there was inadequate proof of the detrimental human well being results of consuming hormone-laced beef.
Recombinant bovine development hormone (rBGH) is a man-made development hormone that was linked in some early research to elevated danger of prostate, breast, colorectal, and different cancers. In response to the American Most cancers Society, nonetheless, later research have failed to substantiate these hyperlinks4.
Different hormones used within the elevating of beef cattle within the U.S. embody estradiol-17β, progesterone, testosterone, zeranol, trenbolone, and melengestrol acetate. In Europe, these hormones had been banned in 20035.
“There are important disagreements between the EU and the US on the well being problems with hormone handled beef,” Professor Man Poppy, PVC Analysis and Innovation, College of Bristol, informed Science Media Centre6. “While the EU claims that one of many frequently used hormones is carcinogenic, the US and Canada declare to the WTO that the EU danger evaluation is flawed. And several other of the hormones used would not have any well being claims in opposition to them.”
“Present scientific proof within the US signifies that consuming beef or dairy merchandise from cattle handled with artificial development hormones is not usually related to well being dangers,” provides Bakovic. “The analysis does, nonetheless, proceed…fortunately. Right now greater than ever, people are selecting conventional and minimally processed complete meals with out added substances similar to development hormones.”
Hormones are additionally related to animal welfare considerations.
It’s additionally vital to think about that if these hormones stay banned within the EU, it’s not simply all the way down to elevated danger of most cancers.
“The bans are partly rooted in well being considerations,” says Dr. Elisa Pineda, Analysis Fellow in Dietary Epidemiology and Meals Coverage on the George Institute for World Well being UK, Imperial Faculty London6, “but in addition replicate moral and shopper choice requirements that prioritize transparency and animal welfare.”
“The rearing observe which is concerned in accelerating development could be seen as an animal welfare subject,” provides Poppy, “as weight acquire and the feedlots and different practices to cut back feed necessities and speed up development end in a lot decrease animal welfare than rearing programs not involving hormones or feedlots.”
2. American hen is rinsed in chlorine bleach.
Within the U.S., chlorinating has lengthy been a well-liked technique of treating hen to cut back the presence of dangerous micro organism like salmonella and campylobacter. In distinction, this observe has truly been banned within the EU since 1997 — however not for any direct well being dangers. In truth, in keeping with the EFSA, “chemical substances in poultry are unlikely to pose an instantaneous or acute well being danger for shoppers.”
The difficulty right here isn’t linked particularly to the chlorinated hen however to the underlying manufacturing facility farming practices which have led to its reputation. “European regulators are seeing the antimicrobial washes as a band-aid to cowl up what’s actually an absence of sufficient hygiene,” Sarah Sorscher, director of regulatory affairs on the Middle for Science within the Public Curiosity, a shopper advocacy group, informed NPR7.
“An analogy goes out for a stroll and seeing a pile of canine muck,” Paul Wigley, Professor in Animal Microbial Ecosystems on the College of Bristol, informed Science Media Centre6. “The UK/EU method is to keep away from getting it in your sneakers. The American method is [to wipe] it off if you get dwelling — however everyone knows that some will stay trapped within the tread.”
The EU cites knowledge that an built-in method to meals security is greater than adequate to cut back the prevalence of Salmonella. NPR reviews that when such built-in practices had been carried out within the EU within the early 2000s, cases of Salmonella dropped by almost 50% over 5 years7.
As of late, solely about 5 % of the processing vegetation within the U.S. truly use chlorine washes, in keeping with figures from the US Nationwide Rooster Council8. The hen from these vegetation is commonly the most affordable available on the market, which means these most affected by this course of are sometimes low-income People.
“Reasonably priced hen is usually a nutritious protein alternative,” says Bakovic, “nonetheless, the decrease costs are typically related to sure farming practices which can embody the usage of antibiotics or chlorination.”
3. American meals include extra added sugars than European meals.
Whereas the Dietary Tips for People advocate that lower than 10% of whole every day energy come from added sugars, the truth of American sugar consumption is sort of completely different. People devour a mean of 13% of their every day energy from added sugars, in keeping with a 2023 examine in Vitamins9. The prevalence of diets with excessive added sugars is even larger amongst 31 to 50-year-olds, one-third of whom devour greater than 15% of their every day energy in added sugars.
This stems largely from the prevalence of sugar within the American meals system, the place every little thing from grocery store bread to yogurt incorporates added sugars. Extremely-processed meals particularly are packed to the brim with sugar (and will even be detrimental to your mind well being).
A 2016 examine in BMJ Open discovered that ultra-processed meals comprised 57.9% of caloric consumption for the almost 10,000 individuals surveyed in a Nationwide Well being and Diet Examination Survey9. Given the truth that ultra-processed meals’ added sugar content material is about 21% of their caloric load, this consumption contributed to a whopping 89.7% enhance in power consumption from added sugars.
In the meantime, in Europe, added sugar consumption is a bit decrease — solely about 7 to 11% of whole consumption for adults, in keeping with a 2017 examine in Diet Journal10. Notably, these sugars primarily come from sweetened drinks (the place you’d count on them to be!) quite than savory meals like breads and sauces.
Excessive-fructose corn syrup is a giant offender.
The standard of sugar issues, too, in keeping with Bakovic. “American processed meals undoubtedly typically include larger ranges of added sugars, which embody high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS),” she explains. “Excessive consumption of HFCS and different added sugars is most unquestionably correlated with power illnesses and elevated danger of weight problems, insulin resistance, and diabetes.”
In Europe, long-standing quotas on HFCS imply that it’s a far much less frequent additive. In truth, till these quotas had been lifted in 2017, HFCS represented solely about 4% of the sugar market. As of late, nonetheless, European HFCS use is on the rise, which can contribute to elevated well being points over time.
This context is important for understanding the complete image of well being in America vs. Europe. 2020 knowledge highlighted a 17% weight problems fee in France, in comparison with a 40.3% fee amongst People in the latest CDC knowledge from 202311. Nevertheless, the CDC knowledge represented the primary time in over a decade that the American weight problems fee didn’t enhance. In France, alternatively, weight problems charges have been climbing, with a 11.3% weight problems fee in 200412.
4. The bread in Europe is simpler to digest than the bread in America.
Lately, influencers have taken to social media to assert that the bread in Europe is simpler to digest than within the U.S. — and there are just a few the reason why this truly checks out.
The primary think about evaluating European bread vs. American bread comes all the way down to probably the most prevalent wheat sorts on both aspect of the Atlantic. Brett Carver, an professional on wheat genetics at Oklahoma State College, tells the New York Occasions that we are inclined to depend on more durable, higher-gluten wheats within the U.S13. In Europe, softer, lower-gluten wheats are extra widespread, which could be simpler to digest for these with a gentle gluten intolerance.
“Wheat grown within the U.S. [tends to be] larger in gluten, whereas there are a number of extra styles of wheat grown in Europe which are decrease in gluten. So they could not trigger points in those that are gluten-sensitive,” Melissa Groves Azzaro, RDN, LD, informed GoodRx Well being14.
Bread in Europe additionally tends to be made with a sourdough starter and fermented for a number of hours and even days, which makes difficult-to-digest carbohydrates simpler on the intestine. Add a decrease probability of each added sugars and carcinogenic contaminants just like the herbicide glyphosate (which is forbidden to be used as a desiccant within the EU15), and it’s no marvel the bread in Europe is so a lot better.
It nonetheless will depend on the specifics of the bread you purchase.
That mentioned, don’t be tempted to overgeneralize: The standard of European bread isn’t all the time a given. In France, for instance, an atypical baguette is leavened with yeast and solely fermented for 3 to 4 hours, and components are permitted to enhance style and texture16. You’ll have to splurge for a baguette de custom for an additive-free loaf that’s been fermented for 15 to twenty hours.
In the meantime, it’s true that almost all grocery store loaves are riddled with components within the U.S. — however the vary of nice sourdough bakeries turning out loaves that may rival even these in Europe is on the rise.
Myths Concerning the Variations Between European and American Meals
Delusion #1: The U.S. permits far more synthetic substances and dyes than Europe.
Whereas traditionally, the U.S. has certainly permitted way more synthetic substances and dyes than the EU, current adjustments imply the variations right here aren’t as putting as they as soon as had been. Recognized carcinogen Pink 3 was lastly banned within the U.S. this January, simply six months after we lastly eradicated brominated vegetable oil in July 2024.
The EU definitely has a leg up on the U.S. in some regards, with bans on components like potassium bromate, a possible carcinogen utilized in some U.S. flours however banned within the EU since 1990. However on the earth of synthetic dyes, the EU hasn’t truly banned many greater than the U.S.
Whereas Blue 1 was beforehand banned in Europe, it was re-evaluated and authorized as secure in 201017. And Pink 40, Yellow 6, and Yellow 5, all of which have been banned in California public faculties since 2024, are nonetheless allowed in Europe, although their use is closely regulated and requires a warning label stating that the dyes can have an effect on consideration in kids18.
Plus, regardless of what we would suppose, Europe has not banned glyphosate outright, opting to increase its authorization to 2033. And the U.S. continues to make strides, with the FDA setting a aim to take away six petroleum-based meals colorings from the American meals system by 2026.
Delusion #2: People eat far more GMOs than Europeans.
It’s true that the American meals market depends closely on genetically modified crops. Greater than 90% of American corn and soy is grown utilizing GMO seeds19, nearly all of which have been genetically modified to resist ample spraying with glyphosate.
In Europe, GMOs are extra closely regulated, with a authorized framework constructed round a four-pronged mission — with the aim of defending each human and animal well being in addition to the surroundings20.
That mentioned, there’s a significant loophole on this coverage: The EU could not develop as many GMOs because the U.S., but it surely has nonetheless licensed the importation of a number of genetically modified crops, together with 26 styles of maize, mainly for animal feed. And after a chronic impasse, it licensed the import of three extra corn varieties for each animal feed and human meals in April of this 12 months21.
So whereas the European Union does certainly have strict insurance policies for labeling GMOs, they’re undoubtedly on the market and rising extra prevalent each day. In brief, it’s not all excellent news on the opposite aspect of the pond; neither is all of it dangerous information on our aspect — the most effective we will hope for is progress throughout.
Learn Extra on Natural Authority
Sources:
- https://meals.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/food-improvement-agents/components/re-evaluation_en
- https://datafisher.com/information/is-the-european-efsa-really-better-than-the-american-fda/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1083852/
- https://www.most cancers.org/most cancers/risk-prevention/chemical compounds/recombinant-bovine-growth-hormone.html
- https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R40449
- https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-the-debate-on-hormone-treated-beef-and-chlorinated-chicken/
- https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/15/nx-s1-5364940/chlorinated-chicken-trump-tariffs-uk-eu
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4785287/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9867287/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5251321/
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/merchandise/databriefs/db508.htm
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9918095/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/nicely/eat/health-effects-bread-europe-united-states.html
- https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/gluten-europe-vs-united-states?srsltid=AfmBOoqX9BQM3NZyl1cEBxPxqBcWzP4AChBGoFtH7b1tmWy1FhqmqyZ8
- https://meals.ec.europa.eu/vegetation/pesticides/approval-active-substances-safeners-and-synergists/renewal-approval/glyphosate_en
- https://boulangerie-laportedupain.fr/quelle-est-la-difference-entre-un-pain-ordinaire-et-un-pain-de-tradition
- https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/1853
- https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/2024/09/california-leads-nation-first-ban-six-harmful-food-dyes-school
- https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/adoption-of-genetically-engineered-crops-in-the-united-states/recent-trends-in-ge-adoption
- https://meals.ec.europa.eu/vegetation/genetically-modified-organisms/gmo-legislation_en
- https://www.feedbusinessmea.com/2025/04/16/eu-approves-three-gmo-corn-varieties-for-feed-food-use/
