In 2021, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that titanium dioxide is no longer safe in foods due to the same concerns over nanoparticles. As a result, titanium dioxide is now banned as a food additive in the EU. Although studies have shown that the absorption of ingested titanium dioxide is low, evidence suggests that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can accumulate in the body over time. Health Canada deemed it safe in 2022 but noted concerns. Unlike their European counterparts, Canadian officials did not consider studies performed with titanium dioxide nanoparticles alone.
Titanium dioxide is added to some food packaging to preserve the shelf life of a product.
The alarming fact of this study is that it was only conducted for 100 days, I have been wearing makeup daily for at least the last fifteen years & would have eaten kilo's of lipstick in my life time - what effects has this had on my system & health??
Reacting to the report, France’s ministers of health, agriculture and economy instructed the country’s food health and safety agency, Anses, to investigate whether the additive poses a risk for human health.
The study was said to be prompted by “growing concerns that daily oral… Intake is associated with an increased risk of chronic intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis”, or cancer formation”.
This TiO2 manufacturer mainly produces R5566, R5567, R5568, R5569 and other series products, which are used in coatings, plastics, papermaking, ink and other fields.
TiO2 is a white pigment that is commonly used in the production of paints, plastics, and paper. It is known for its brightness, opacity, and durability, making it an ideal choice for products that require a high level of whiteness and coverage. TiO2 is also used in sunscreen lotions and cosmetics to provide protection against harmful UV rays. In addition, TiO2 is used in the food industry as a food additive to enhance the appearance of products such as candies and confectionery.
Lithopone B301, Lithopone B311 powder’s 2 main components:
Lithopone is produced by coprecipitation of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide. Most commonly coprecipitation is effected by combining equimolar amounts of zinc sulfate and barium sulfide:
However, most dermatologists will warn their patients not to rely on mineral makeup alone in order to be protected by the sun’s rays. This is because there can be quite a bit of variation with mineral foundation – not only with how much we apply but how much titanium dioxide the foundation contains.
However, they did find that minor levels of 0.01% were absorbed by immune cells — known as gut-associated lymphoid tissue — and may be delivered to other organs. Currently, it’s unknown how this may affect human health (17Trusted Source).
Titanium Dioxide is one of the two members of the elite sunscreen group called physical sunscreens (or inorganic sunscreens if you’re a science geek and want to be precise).
This route affords a product that is 29.4 wt % ZnS and 70.6 wt % BaSO4. Variations exist, for example, more ZnS-rich materials are produced when zinc chloride is added to the mixture of zinc sulfate and barium sulfide.
Recent analyses of food-grade TiO2 samples have found that a significant portion of particles may be within the nanoscale. These particles (also known as nanoparticles) range in size from 1 to 100 nm, where 1 nm equals 1 billionth of a metre (the width of a typical human hair is 80,000 to 100,000 nm).
Lithopone B301, Lithopone B311 powder is widely used in coatings, printing ink, rubber, plastic industry, etc.
Titanium dioxide in food
In recent years, environmental concerns have shaped the way lithopone is produced and used. Suppliers are now more attentive to the sustainability aspect of their operations, ensuring that lithopone is sourced from eco-friendly processes. Many suppliers have adopted responsible mining practices and have invested in technologies that reduce waste and emissions during production. This shift not only appeals to environmentally-conscious consumers but also helps manufacturers comply with stringent regulations regarding product safety and environmental impact.