What Foods are Banned in Europe? + Mooala’s Shelf-Stable Plant-Based Milks

Many Americans might be surprised to discover that there’s a long list of foods banned in Europe. This is because the US has more lenient food ingredient regulations thanks to US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) designation. In this episode of the Xtalks Food Podcast, Sydney talks about five ingredients that are banned in Europe, but allowed in other parts of the world. The list includes the whitening agent titanium dioxide, a compound called azodicarbonamide, propylparaben as an antimicrobial preservative, the human-made hormone rBST and brominated vegetable oil. Sydney also mentions some foods that are banned in the US but allowed in other countries. The team wonders why Europe has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to food safety and talks about how traditions and heritage impact modern food culture.

Also in this episode, Sydney talks about Mooala’s new Simple line, featuring organic, shelf-stable, three-ingredient plant-based milks. Unlike many brands that often infuse plant-based milks with gums, oils and additives, Mooala’s latest line prides itself in containing only three core ingredients: filtered water, organic oats or almonds and a pinch of sea salt. Mooala, which began in Texas in 2016, now spans across major retailers in the US. Whether it’s Whole Foods, Walmart or Aldi, Mooala has made its mark in the plant-based milk market. The brand has consistently shown that products free from GMOs, herbicides, preservatives and toxic chemicals can also prioritize taste. Additionally, the plant-based milks don’t require refrigeration until consumers are ready to enjoy it. The team commends Mooala for its simple approach and discusses some of the flaws with other plant-based milks.