[Image above] Many popular candies, such as Skittles, Starbursts, and Sour Patch Kids, contain titanium dioxide as a food additive. Ever since the European Commission instituted a ban on TiO2 as a food additive in , several U.S. states have introduced legislation that would ban its use as well. Credit: Vinicius &#;amnx&#; Amano, Unsplash
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With Valentine&#;s Day fast approaching, grocery store candy aisles are overflowing with heart-shaped sweets and chocolate boxes. But consumers in the United States and Europe will notice one big difference between the items offered in each place&#;the presence (or not) of the food additive titanium dioxide (TiO2).
TiO2 is used as a whitening or brightening agent in a wide variety of products, including paints, paper, textiles, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Its use as a food additive started in when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized its use.
Despite its long history as a food additive, the European Commission decided to institute a ban on TiO2 as a food additive in . The ban followed the release of an updated assessment by the European Food Safety Authority in , which could not rule out genotoxicity concerns for new ultrafine nanoforms of TiO2.
Since that ban went into full effect in August , various alternatives for food coloring additives are being adopted in Europe Union countries. However, despite some lawsuits in the U.S., the FDA remains firm in its guidance that TiO2 can be used as a food additive as long as its amount does not exceed 1% by weight of the food.
Though no movement to ban TiO2 as a food additive has occurred on the federal level in the U.S., the possibility is now being floated in legislation from several states.
For example, in February , members in the California State Assembly introduced The California Food Safety Act, which proposed to ban the food additives brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, red dye No. 3, and TiO2 starting in . However, by the time the act was signed into law in October , TiO2 was dropped from the list.
In March , members in the New York State Senate introduced a bill that would ban the same five food additives, although its directive would take effect starting in . The legislature is expected to vote on the bill soon.
Meanwhile, members in the Illinois State Senate introduced a bill in November that would ban the four food additives outlawed in California, with a start date of . However, Illinois lawmakers say they plan to add TiO2 to the list during discussion on the bill.
These laws are being met with hostility by some food groups, such as the National Confectioners Association (NCA). When California passed its new food safety law, the NCA issued a statement saying the law initiates &#;a slippery slope&#; that may lead to &#;a massive patchwork of requirements for U.S. food manufacturers.&#;
&#;&#;the FDA could prevent [such inconsistency] by engaging on this important topic,&#; the NCA letter states.
In November , the FDA took a small step in this direction when it proposed to revoke the regulation authorizing the use of brominated vegetable oil, one of the food additives listed in the California, New York, and Illinois laws. Additionally, in that same announcement, the FDA stated it is reviewing the regulations concerning red dye No. 3, another one of the food additives focused on in the state laws.
Yet there remain many food additives that have not been reviewed by the FDA in decades, despite being banned in Europe.
To try and address this oversight, U.S. Representative Janice Schakowsky (D&#;IL 9th District) has twice introduced the Food Chemical Reassessment Act in and , which would create an Office of Food Safety Reassessment at the FDA to ensure more consistent and thorough reviews of food additives.
Learn more about Schakowsky&#;s proposed legislation in the video below, which features her interview with CBS Evening News in February .
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Credit: RepSchakowsky, YouTubeTitanium dioxide is a color additive used in food that can potentially accumulate in our bodies. It is associated with health risks such as DNA damage and immune system toxicity. The European Union banned the use of titanium dioxide in foods due to these safety concerns, yet the additive remains legal in the US. CSPI and other public health advocacy organizations petitioned the FDA to ban the chemical in foods in March , but the agency has yet to respond.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a chemical that is currently approved for use in the US as a coloring additive in foods, medical products, drugs, and cosmetics. The additive can be found on grocery store shelves in a wide range of food products, including baked goods, chewing gum, chocolate, puddings, hard-shelled candies, frosting, dressings, sauces, and coffee creamers. Titanium dioxide does not have a nutritional or preservative function, but instead is used solely for superficial purposes, adding a white color and brightness to foods and beverages. Many foods that contain titanium dioxide are specifically marketed toward children.
According to a database from the US Department of Agriculture, titanium dioxide is currently used in nearly 13,000 brand-name food products, including Kroger&#;s Fat Free Half-and-Half, Little Debbie&#;s Fudge Rounds, Wegmans&#; Original Mac &#;n Cheese, Marzetti&#;s Cream Cheese Fruit Dip, and Campbell&#;s Healthy Request Chunky Chicken Corn Chowder Soup. Titanium dioxide does not have to be listed by name on ingredient lists&#;instead, food companies can just call it &#;artificial color&#; or other similarly vague terms&#;meaning 13,000 products is an underestimate.
A safety evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found that evidence suggests that when humans ingest food-grade titanium dioxide, small particles of titanium dioxide&#;or &#;nanoparticles&#;&#;can potentially accumulate in the human body over time and cause genetic damage. In turn, damage to DNA is one way that chemicals can cause cancer and other health problems. Accumulation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the body may also damage the immune and nervous systems. (That said, titanium dioxide used in mineral sunscreens isn&#;t absorbed and is considered safe and effective by the FDA.)
Due to the possible negative health effects of ingesting titanium dioxide nanoparticles, CSPI&#;s Chemical Cuisine tool currently advises consumers to avoid food products containing this additive. However, some food labels do not directly list titanium dioxide as an ingredient and instead hide the ingredient behind terms like &#;color added&#; or &#;artificial color.&#; This makes it more difficult for consumers to determine whether titanium dioxide is in a particular product, increasing the need for government action to protect consumers from the additive.
Learn more about titanium dioxide in Chemical Cuisine
After EFSA concluded its assessment revealing health concerns in , the European Union banned the use of titanium dioxide in foods in .
Conversely, Health Canada&#;s Food Directorate chose not to ban titanium dioxide in , although it noted uncertainties in the safety of titanium dioxide. The differences in conclusions between EFSA and Health Canada primarily relate to which studies each agency considered relevant. Health Canada considered studies with food-grade-comparable titanium dioxide to be most relevant, meaning if a study were performed with titanium dioxide nanoparticles alone, they generally did not include it in their safety assessment.
This distinction is critical. One study determined that in some food products, up to 74 percent of the food-grade titanium dioxide particles could be nanoparticles, suggesting that consideration of nanoparticle accumulation and toxicity is critical to understanding titanium dioxide&#;s health risks. Consequently, EFSA considered studies on titanium dioxide nanoparticles to be relevant for assessing food-grade titanium dioxide.
Despite warnings from public health watchdogs and studies identifying dangers associated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles, the FDA still allows the use of titanium dioxide in foods in the US. The FDA approved the use of titanium dioxide in food in . In a brief statement to industry issued in June , the FDA claims it has evaluated EFSA&#;s opinion and concluded that titanium dioxide is safe, using a rationale similar to Health Canada. Given how short this statement is and the sparse details included, it is unclear how thoroughly the FDA evaluated the evidence in this case.
CSPI and four other food safety and public health advocacy groups petitioned the FDA in March to revoke approval of titanium dioxide as an additive in food products. The FDA is required to address petitions within 180 days, but the agency has not yet responded.
CSPI will continue to raise public awareness of the health concerns surrounding titanium dioxide and encourage the federal government to reverse its approval of the dangerous additive.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of titanium dioxide powder. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.