Titanium dioxide is a very common additive in processed foods and in all types of products. The European Union has banned its use in food after a report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that warned of its possible health risks.
What is titanium dioxide or E171?
He titanium dioxide It is an additive that also receives the names E171 (in food), CI 77891 (in cosmetics), PW6 (either Pigment White 6) either white titanium.
It is used in powder form as food coloring to give a bright and opaque white color to food and make it more attractive. It has no nutritional valueso it is totally dispensable.
It has other properties such as ultraviolet ray absorptionthe chemical resistance or the ability to resist high temperatures, andIt is also used in cosmetic products, plastics, paints or medicines.
What consequences does E171 have for health?
The E171 has been under the spotlight for some time and various studies have pointed out its health hazards since the nanoparticles that make up this additive can penetrate the protective barriers of the human body.
The EFSA, the agency that advises the European Union on risks associated with the food chain, issued a report in May 2021 in which it warns that the use of E171 as a food additivenot considered safe.
In previous evaluations they had not found side effects linked to the use of titanium dioxidebut for this new report the 2018 EFSA Scientific Committee Guidance on nanotechnology was applied for the first time to assess the safety of food additives.
- E171 contains at most 50% of the nano-sized particles (i.e. less than 100 nanometers) to which consumers may be exposed.
Specifically, EFSA considers that, in light of current scientific evidence, genotoxicity cannot be ruled out (i.e., the ability of this substance to damage the DNA of cells) after consumption of titanium dioxide particles. This DNA damage could lead to cancer development.
“After ingestion, the absorption of titanium dioxide particles is low, but can accumulate in the body”, they point out from the EFSA.
Due to these possible health damages, There is no recommended minimum daily intake that can be considered safe.
E171, banned in the European Union
Following the EFSA report, the European Union (EU) decided ban its use as a food additive in the 27 member states, with a transition period of six months so that producers can reformulate their products at the end of the year. August 7, 2022.
For its part, France already banned its use in 2020 after several alerts about its possible carcinogenic effects from the French Agency for Food, Environment and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES).
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also considers it “possibly carcinogenic”, based on studies in mice that indicated a greater probability of suffering from lung cancer after inhalation.
What products is titanium dioxide used in?
Titanium dioxide in food
The dye E171 is used in processed products bakery, in soups, broths, sauces, savory spreads for sandwiches.
It is also very common in foods aimed at children such as sweets, chocolates, cookies or chewing gum.
According to EFSA, the processed nuts They are also one of the main categories of foods that contain this dye.
Titanium dioxide in cosmetics
The EFSA safety assessment of titanium dioxide only concerns its use as a food additive. However, cosmetic products such as sunscreens (as it absorbs ultraviolet light and protects the skin from UV rays), makeup powder either creams.
According to IARC, “There is conflicting evidence about whether titanium dioxide nanoparticles can pass through the skin. If you can, the presence of titanium dioxide in a wide variety of cosmetic powders and creams may be cause for concern”.
It is also present in some toothpasteswhere it is especially worrying because it can be easily ingested.
It is also used in medications (in the layer that covers the pills), in inks, plastics (for example, on furniture or items resistant to the effects of sunlight), paintings either ceramic glazes.