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The US and international formulas are not the same— here's exactly what changed and why.
Hormel (formerly Kraft Heinz) USA
| High Fructose Corn Syrup | ✅ Not present | ✅ Not present | Banned Overseas |
The same company makes both versions — but they use different formulas depending on where the product is sold. In the EU, UK, and Canada, regulations require either banning certain additives outright or mandating warning labels (e.g., "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" for certain synthetic dyes).
Rather than print warning labels, most manufacturers reformulate the product for international markets — using natural colorants like paprika extract, beetroot concentrate, or spirulina instead of petroleum-derived synthetic dyes.
The US FDA has a different standard: it deems additives "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) based on older safety data, while EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) applies stricter precautionary principles and requires manufacturers to prove safety rather than assume it.
Planters honey roasted peanuts contain both BHA and BHT — a combination of synthetic antioxidant preservatives that the National Toxicology Program has flagged as reasonably anticipated carcinogens. EU nut snacks face strict limits on these preservatives. The HFCS used in the honey coating rather than actual honey adds another layer of processing compared to the EU equivalent. The product essentially substitutes cheaper synthetic ingredients at every turn versus what European food standards require.
Find clean brands without these ingredients — organized by category.