Titanium dioxide has the days counted health and nutrition

A widely used additive

Titanium dioxide (E-171) is a very frequently used additive in the food industry by its whitish and opacitating properties, so it is not uncommon to find it in the list of candy ingredients, chocolate products, cookies and gum, as well asIn food supplements.

EFSA considers that it is not safe

However, this substance is considered toWhat cannot be established an admissible daily intake (IDA).They indicate that it does not imply an imminent risk to health, but recommend that its use be avoided.

The conclusions of the EFSA did not surprise: the security of this additive has been questioned, whose use, such as that of food coloring, is expendable.

OCU requested that its use be prohibited

In OCU we have repeatedly shown our concern about the use of this substance in food, asking for the withdrawal of the authorization of the use of titanium dioxide as a food additive.

There are no reasons to use titanium dioxide: it only has an aesthetic function, without any technical reason that supports its need and its security is not demonstrated, as confirmed by the report published by the European Food Security Agency (EFSA) published by thelast May.

In addition, in our study on nanomaterials in food products, we detect the presence of Nanoparticles of E-171 in sweets and sweets (we remember the uncertainty about the effect on the health of the intake of these tiny particles).

What will happen now?

Parliament and the European Council must give their opinion (which will predictably go along the same lines) on the new standard.

This new regulation would come into force in 2022.From there, manufacturers will have a transition period to reformulate their products avoiding this additive in the composition.Once this moratorium has elapsed, we will stop seeing foods that include E-171 in the ingredient list.

Additives, the less, the better

Without the intention of falling into chemophobia, from OCU we insist on avoiding resorting to additives that are not necessary.Dyes like this E-171 are a good example of unnecessary additive.Even if there was no doubt about its possible risks, its use is completely expendable.However, there are many other additives that must be used, they are necessary or even essential to guarantee the safety of some foods.

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