Grocery Items Unavailable in the US

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yumm! crumpets with butter and peanut butter for breakfast today:-)!

[Marilyn. 340]

lol.. yesterday for an "appetizer" I had cheese whiz on toast and then with dinner i had some bread with cheese whiz and then today for breakfast I had some more toast with cheese whiz ....lol mmmm mmm mmmm

[Galateia 1]

No Sunlight brand laundry products! I went looking for my favorite lemony-fresh laundry detergent and was shocked that they don't have it.

Also, Aero bars and Crunchies are available at World Markets.

[Marilyn. 340]

Sunlight

When the product made its United States debut a massive free sample campaign resulted in numerous cases of senior citizens mistaking the label and lemon logo for a lemonade drink mix, and becoming ill after consuming dish soap.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunlight_(cleaning_product)

thought that was kind of funny ....lol

Edited May 29, 2008 by MarilynP

[Marilyn. 340]

hey I just found this site.... HFCS Free Food List

[Reba 2]

Since Aldi opened up a store here in town, I've been shopping there quite a lot. (and saving more than 50% off my grocery bills!). They have a few items that are HFCS free (but proportionately speaking, not very many).

Fit & Light Ranch Salad Dressing (all their other dressings have HFCS, even the other Fit & Light!)

Sweet & Salty, Trail Mix Fruit & Nut, and Oat & Honey granola bars (the Fit & Light ones have HFCS believe it or not!)

Their knock-off Frosted Mini Wheats, Cheerios and a couple other cereals do not have it.

And their imported chocolates do not have it. Generally speaking HFCS is a US phenomenon, so imported goods won't have it, unless they are made specifically for the US market (there area few food items made in Canada that are made for import to the US that have HFCS in them, but the Canadian version doesn't have it).

You just have to really be careful and read every label. Most organic foods won't have it in there (I'd hazard a guess and say all organics even!) because HFCS is so over processed, it can no longer be considered organic, even if it came from organic corn. But, considering the whole point to HFCS is for food manufacturers to save money, why would they bother with organic corn? It would cost them too much

btw, only a very few of Newman's Own products contain HFCS. The list linked above only had their organic sandwich cookies listed for some reason.

Edited May 31, 2008 by Reba

[Kathryn41 3,205]

hey I just found this site.... HFCS Free Food List

Thanks, Marilyn!

I've bookmarked the site and printed off a copy of the list to add to my grocery coupons - now I can check directly for certain products. Oh, btw - it mentions Annie's products . . . anyone looking for some good macaroni and cheese, try Annie's products. They don't taste like Kraft dinner if that is what you are looking for, but they are really good and cheesy. Well worth paying the extra price at some stores (Ingles) but often carried at our local Big Lots for 99 cents a box!

[Marilyn. 340]

Since Aldi opened up a store here in town, I've been shopping there quite a lot. (and saving more than 50% off my grocery bills!). They have a few items that are HFCS free (but proportionately speaking, not very many).

Fit & Light Ranch Salad Dressing (all their other dressings have HFCS, even the other Fit & Light!)

Sweet & Salty, Trail Mix Fruit & Nut, and Oat & Honey granola bars (the Fit & Light ones have HFCS believe it or not!)

Their knock-off Frosted Mini Wheats, Cheerios and a couple other cereals do not have it.

And their imported chocolates do not have it. Generally speaking HFCS is a US phenomenon, so imported goods won't have it, unless they are made specifically for the US market (there area few food items made in Canada that are made for import to the US that have HFCS in them, but the Canadian version doesn't have it).

You just have to really be careful and read every label. Most organic foods won't have it in there (I'd hazard a guess and say all organics even!) because HFCS is so over processed, it can no longer be considered organic, even if it came from organic corn. But, considering the whole point to HFCS is for food manufacturers to save money, why would they bother with organic corn? It would cost them too much

btw, only a very few of Newman's Own products contain HFCS. The list linked above only had their organic sandwich cookies listed for some reason.

might be an old list that they have neglected to update...

ok didn't see it the first time but I just saw they have a forum where you can add other items that don't have HFCS .. it looks fairly recent through so they don't have a whole lot going on there right now....

Edited May 31, 2008 by MarilynP

[Krikit 1,164]

lol.. yesterday for an "appetizer" I had cheese whiz on toast and then with dinner i had some bread with cheese whiz and then today for breakfast I had some more toast with cheese whiz ....lol mmmm mmm mmmm

Good plan. OD on Cheez Whiz so you don't crave it for another year or so.

No Sunlight brand laundry products! I went looking for my favorite lemony-fresh laundry detergent and was shocked that they don't have it.

I knoooooooooooow! I am so sad about that. Sunlight dish detergent is hard to find, also.

Sunlight

When the product made its United States debut a massive free sample campaign resulted in numerous cases of senior citizens mistaking the label and lemon logo for a lemonade drink mix, and becoming ill after consuming dish soap.

[Marilyn. 340]

I really think this thread should be pinned

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I have taken the liberty of creating a spreadsheet detailing a list of Canadian products unavailable in the US and have added comparables where I could. This list was compiled using input from the Heinz Ketchup thread, as well as from my own experience. Please feel free to let me know of any additions or amendments, as this is a work in progress.

Grocery Items Spreadsheet

What a great idea! Nathan's hot dogs are my new favourite! Love them.

You can't get Cheez Whiz here?

What about real maple syrup? My mom always sends my husband those giant jugs of real Canadian maple syrup. It's like gold to him.

Also, the Safeway here has real Canadian back bacon and Canadian peameal bacon. I actually noticed that almost all of the bacon products they sell are from Canada. Harris Teeter here has a good Canadian bacon selection also.

Smarties is another one to add - Smarties here aren't the chocolate candies like we get in Canada and the UK. Americans call those sour little candies that come in a roll (like Rockets) Smarties.

Aero is another chocolate bar that you can't get here - I learned that when my husband asked me what kind of chocolate bar I wanted from the store. I said "Aero" and he said "Huh?"

Actually, one CAN get Aero and Smarties in the US--as long as you happen to do some shopping at desi stores, you can get the ORIGINAL (Brit) versions of these.

(as you are in DC area, this is viable option)

other items to add on the not available generally list:

• unsweetened shredded coconut (you can get it even in 7-11 in Canada, but only in ethnic stores in US--true even as of 1971)
• quark cheese (I saw it at Chamblee Farmer's Market in Atlanta area, but not in most grocers), available easily in Canada, MUCH easier to spread (even when cold) than cream cheese (even when "room temped")
• Rosebuds (small version of chocolate stars)

[Krikit 1,164]

Actually, one CAN get Aero and Smarties in the US--as long as you happen to do some shopping at desi stores, you can get the ORIGINAL (Brit) versions of these.

I've added your items to the list. I've never heard of quark cheese, though. Interesting.

And, ugh. I've had a terrible time trying to find an Indian grocer here. The only one close to me is just horrible. Barely anything on their shelves and way overpriced. But there seems to be a pretty good selection over in Orlando, so I'll have to plan a day trip. Getting tired of having to wait to go to Canada for my supplies and a samosa/pakora.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Actually, one CAN get Aero and Smarties in the US--as long as you happen to do some shopping at desi stores, you can get the ORIGINAL (Brit) versions of these.

I've added your items to the list. I've never heard of quark cheese, though. Interesting.

And, ugh. I've had a terrible time trying to find an Indian grocer here. The only one close to me is just horrible. Barely anything on their shelves and way overpriced. But there seems to be a pretty good selection over in Orlando, so I'll have to plan a day trip. Getting tired of having to wait to go to Canada for my supplies and a samosa/pakora.

Is there a "Trader Joe's" near you? This chain is known to carry some Indian entrées, under its own brand-name.

[Krikit 1,164]

Is there a "Trader Joe's" near you? This chain is known to carry some Indian entrées, under its own brand-name.

Sadly, no. No Trader Joe's in Florida.

Our supermarkets have started supplying a few frozen entrées, but I prefer to make my own. If I could find the supplies, that is.

Edited July 2, 2008 by Krikit

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Sadly, no. No Trader Joe's in Florida.

Our supermarkets have started supplying a few frozen entrées, but I prefer to make my own. If I could find the supplies, that is.

Well, you CAN get chili powder, turmeric powder and mustard seeds at regular grocer such as Publix (though this approach is costly).

For making samosas, here are some steps:

• sauté onions, finely-chopped vegetables (and/or finely-ground meats)
• thaw frozen pastry dough (if you can find it--I haven't looked for it in US) and roll it
• using cookie-cutter, make some circles of the rolled dough
• wrap the circles around sautéed veggies/meats, closing them as shells
• put on baking sheet and bake at 400^oF for 30-40 minutes
• serve with sauces (chutneys, if you can find them; but salsa also works quite well)