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Titanium dioxide banned in food with immediate effect

2022-08-13T04:51:57.871Z


EU Commission bans carcinogenic substance "E171" - numerous supermarket products are affected Created: 08/13/2022, 06:39 By: Stella Henrich The substance E171 is found in lipsticks, toothpaste, sweets, sauces and medicines - but also in varnishes and paints. It means titanium dioxide. The substance is now banned from food in Germany. Munich ‒ Titanium dioxide makes the toothpaste radiantly whi


EU Commission bans carcinogenic substance "E171" - numerous supermarket products are affected

Created: 08/13/2022, 06:39

By: Stella Henrich

The substance E171 is found in lipsticks, toothpaste, sweets, sauces and medicines - but also in varnishes and paints.

It means titanium dioxide.

The substance is now banned from food in Germany.

Munich ‒ Titanium dioxide makes the toothpaste radiantly white and gives the salad dressing an appetizing colour.

The dye has been added to food for more than 50 years.

But since the beginning of August, the substance can no longer be used in food.

The white powder is said to promote cancer when inhaled, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) warns that swallowing could cause damage to the human genome.

Titanium dioxide should still be allowed in medicines and cosmetics.

What is meant is titanium dioxide - also known as E171.

As early as May last year, EFSA came to the conclusion that the additive could no longer be classified as safe.

Food manufacturers can still use titanium dioxide until August.

However, stocks that have already been purchased can still be sold in supermarkets and discounters after this date.

And that as long as "until their use-by or best-before date (MHD) has expired," writes the

Giessener Anzeiger

.

No more titanium dioxide: the health of citizens is not negotiable

The ban applies to the countries of the European Union.

This means that the white pigment may no longer be used in food from the summer.

"Food safety and the health of our citizens are non-negotiable," said EU Commissioner Stella Kyriakides.

With the ban, the EU is eliminating a food additive that is no longer considered safe, according to the European Commission's website.

Titanium dioxide is in many foods.

(Iconic image) © Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg

The Commissioner is also counting on working with Member State authorities "to ensure that food business operators stop using E171 in food."

No more titanium dioxide: EU unanimously against

With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2022/63 on February 7, 2022, titanium dioxide is no longer permitted as a food additive E 171.

Until August 7th, 2022, foodstuffs produced according to the rules in force before February 7th, 2022 can still be placed on the market.

After that point, they may remain on the market until their sell-by or use-by date.

What is Titanium Dioxide?

Titanium

Dioxide

 is a white, mineral color pigment.

For a long time, it was permitted in foods as the additive 

E 171

 .

Under the Color Index 

CI 77891

 , the substance is used in cosmetics such as toothpaste or sunscreen.

Another name is Pigment White 6

.

/Consumer Center Hamburg

First of all, titanium dioxide has no other purpose in foods than to make them look better.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a size of less than 100 nanometers are problematic.

Consumer advocates in Hamburg warn that these can penetrate the cells and cause inflammation there.

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The result: possible cancer risks.

Titanium dioxide can be absorbed through the digestive tract, skin and respiratory tract.

How exactly the small particles behave in the human body has not yet been finally clarified. 

Delivery problems cannot be ruled out in the food trade.

Because it is not yet clear whether all manufacturers were able to adapt to the new regulations in good time and deliver groceries as usual, reports the

Giessener Anzeiger.

It also remains unclear whether some recipes could possibly be changed beyond the omission of E171.

Caution: It is better not to reheat these foods

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Source: merkur

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