Is It Safe to Eat These Foods? Think Again!

We often think that exported food is a luxurious and lavish option, but they might not be what you think. Sure, foods from around the world are all the rage on YouTube and other social media sites, but many people simply don’t think of the risk they might be taking. For instance, food imported from China is often filled with cancer-causing chemicals and are definitely not environmentally friendly. This doesn’t include all foods, of course, but it can be in your best interest to take a look at the food you are choosing, especially when it’s imported. Here is a list of exported food that might not be safe to eat.

Apple Juice

We don’t often think that apple juice can be dangerous, but when it’s imported from certain places, it can be. For instance, apple juice from China has tested positive for arsenic, a chemical that could make you very sick.

Ginseng

Many people use ginseng for the amazing health benefits it has, but most of the ginseng that we have in the US actually comes from China. There are many cases where ginseng has been tested and contained harmful chemicals, including pesticides.

Table Salt

Almost every home has table salt, but it might not be as safe as you think. Again, a lot of the salt we have for sale in the US comes from China, and this salt is mixed with substances that are not safe for humans.

Watermelon

Who doesn’t love a cool, refreshing watermelon on a hot summer day? Just be careful that you aren’t choosing an imported one. Again, if it comes from a place like China, it is likely filled with unsafe pesticides.

Garlic

Another common import from China is garlic. So, you can expect that imported garlic likely has a lot of chemical pesticides on it, which means you are ingesting those chemicals if you eat this.

Beef

A lot of beef in the US is imported, too, and you guessed it — it might have come from China. The way meat is processed in China is very different than how it’s processed in the US, and it could be diseased and make you very sick if you eat it.

Rice Noodles

Rice noodles are commonly found in Asian dishes, even here in the US. However, you need to make sure the noodles you buy are safe, as they might contain sulfur dioxide, a chemical that can make you sick.

Baby Formula

Baby formula may also be imported, and you have to be very careful if this is what you feed your child. This imported food can contain a chemical called melamine, which can affect the kidneys if eaten in large amounts.

Milk

Similar to baby formula, imported milk can also contain melamine…in even larger doses. Drinking this milk, which will likely be shelf-stable, again, can cause damage to the kidneys.

Rice

You might think rice is fairly safe, but remember, if it comes from China, it very likely contains chemicals that can be harmful. We know that Chinese food often contains rice as a staple, but this imported rice isn’t healthy.

Shrimp

You definitely don’t want to take any shrimp that comes from China. Some of the chemicals that have been found in Chinese shrimp include enrofloxacin, chloramphenicol, and nitrofurazone; all very dangerous.

Tilapia

Tilapia is a very popular fish in the US, but some of it comes from China and ends up on the US market. In China, the water these fish are raised in has a lot of toxic chemicals, which you end up eating.

Cabbage

You might not think that something like cabbage can be dangerous, but if it is cabbage that is imported, it could be. To keep it fresh, farmers from China often spray a chemical on the cabbage, and it can make people very sick.

Canned Peaches

No one is saying that peaches canned in sugary syrup is a healthy option, but it sure does taste good, right? You could be getting more than you bargain for, however, if you eat Chinese imported canned peaches, as the cans are made of toxic lead.

Canned Tuna

The story is similar with canned tuna. There is a big risk of lead poisoning, but remember, Chinese fisheries use a lot of chemicals in the water, too, which means those chemicals leech into the fish.

Oil

Not all of the oils that are imported from China is bad, but because of relaxed safety laws in China, manufacturers can put in a lot of chemicals that are not allowed in other countries.

Cod

Another popular fish appearing on US dinner plates is cod, but again, it is best to not choose cod from China. Not only is the fish farmed in chemical-laden water, but some are raised in water that contains sewage and garbage.

Mushrooms

It is very common for mushrooms from China to be tainted with pesticides, which can have terrible effects on your health. Most mushrooms don’t last long when fresh, but canned or jarred mushrooms can come from China, too.

Lamb

Lamb is another common meat that can be imported from China. The problem in this case is that what you are eating might not be lamb at all. There is some evidence that meat labeled as lamb is actually rat meat.

Chicken

Chicken is well-known for being a delicious, healthy option, but it also has a reputation of making people sick. Imported chicken should be avoided at all cost, and instead, you should buy local or US-bred chicken.

Tea

Tea from China is a very common purchase for people in the US, so you may think that it is always safe. However, that’s not the case. Studies have found more than 30 dangerous chemicals in some tea brands out there.

Wine

Wine is more popular year over year, and some regions of the world are well-known for the wine they produce. China is not one of them! A lot of Chinese wines have added sugar, dyes, and artificial flavors.

Pork

Pork is common in Chinese cuisine, but that doesn’t mean that Chinese pork is a good option. Some manufacturers in China add things like borax to the meat to keep it fresh, but this is dangerous to consume.

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is found in most homes, even though it’s not the healthiest, but it is great for adding flavor to meals. Just try to choose a soy sauce that is not imported from China, as that soy sauce contains a chemical called 4-Methylimidazole. which causes cancer.

Eggs

Many people eat eggs every day, or at least a couple of times a week, but most people don’t realize their eggs are not local. In fact, some could be coming from China. Stay clear because they can also make you sick.

Green Peas

Green peas have a lot of fiber and antioxidants, but if you choose imported ones, keep in mind that they might be straight from a lab. Some labs add chemicals for color and flavor. Yuck!

Don’t Get Sick!

We have talked a lot about food from China here, but there are certainly other foods that you need to be careful about, too, especially if you are going to be traveling. What are they?

Fish and Shellfish

It is common to eat fish and shellfish when you’re on vacation, but you have to be smart. Don’t eat anything raw, and if there is an odd odor or taste, don’t eat it!

Raw Eggs

Though it is not very common in the US, around the world, eating raw eggs is more common. Raw eggs, however, contain salmonella, so it’s best to stay clear of raw egg dishes.

There are many countries in Asia known for street feed, and it can be delicious, but it might not be cooked! These countries don’t have the same food rules as we have, so you must use caution.

Raw Vegetables

Eating anything raw when traveling is never a good idea, even if it is of the vegetable variety. Raw vegetables can have bacteria just like raw meat, plus veggies have a lot of pesticides.

Greasy Food

When you are traveling, you also might want to stay away from greasy food. Extra grease can cause stomach upset, and it can have additional symptoms like heartburn, which can make your vacation pretty bad.

Sauces are a great accompaniment to many meals, but you have to be careful with sauces when traveling. Why? Because you have no idea what is in them! They could have chemicals or other ingredients to make you sick.

Dairy Products

Depending on the country, the dairy regulations can vary greatly. This means that if you eat dairy products in other countries, you might get sick. For instance, in Europe, you won’t find anything other than whole milk, which might be too rich.

Tap Water

You may have heard drinking water in foreign countries is dangerous, but tap water can also contain things like bacteria or parasites. This can cause a lot of illness, so try to drink bottled water when traveling.

Ice

Just like water, if you have ice in your drinks that are made of tap water, you could have the same issue with bacteria and other organisms.

Raw Cashews

Did you know that cashews can make you sick? Raw cashews are not exactly raw when you buy them in the store. They are actually slightly processed because natural cashews have a chemical on them that must be removed before eating them.

Elderberries

Many people eat elderberries for the boost they give to the immune system, but the leaves and twigs of these berries are not safe at all. In fact, they contain a chemical that has a similar effect as cyanide!

Fugu - Pufferfish

Though fugu, also known as pufferfish, is a delicacy in Japan and other Asian countries, you must be extremely careful if ordering it. Some parts of the fish are poisonous and even deadly if consumed.

Cassava

More people in the US are eating cassava, a starchy vegetable popular in Africa and Asia. However, if eaten raw, this tuber could make you very sick, so make sure to only eat well-cooked cassava.