Titanium dioxide or titanium white is one of the most common white food colors. The reason for its prevalence is that it gives a beautiful bright white color due to its good refractive index. It is most often used for coloring pastries, chocolates, sauces, salad dressings. Its use in dietary supplements is also very common: white tablets and capsules are colored almost exclusively with titanium dioxide. Plus, it is applied not just in white foods, it is often mixed with other food dyes to make other colors more shiny.
Scientific studies on titanium dioxide
Until 2016, so much scientific information has been gathered against titanium dioxide that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has ordered a detailed investigation. As a result, in March 2020, ESFA with the lead of Prof. Maged Younes claimed that
titanium dioxide is no longer considered safe
and this year, in January 2022, the European Commission announced that
titanium dioxide is banned as a food additive…
The ban will take effect in July 2022. After that, it will no longer be possible to produce food or food supplements that contain titanium dioxide.
Why did it have to be banned?
Titanium dioxide is insoluble in water, so it has long been thought that after consumption, it simply passes through the digestive tract without interacting with the body. We now know that this is not the case, titanium dioxide particles in the nano size range can be absorbed by the body without dissolution, and this can be detrimental to our health in the long run.
Concerns about titanium dioxide
Carcinogenic. ESFA has found that studies on the carcinogenic effects of titanium dioxide are inconclusive in terms of genotoxicity (DNA damaging effect). Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that its consumption is dangerous, and that is why no safe daily intake has been established.
The detailed resolution of the ESFA can be found at the following link:
Other research has linked it to a rare disease called yellow nail syndrome. The syndrome is known for the thickened and discolored nails, but it also affects the lungs and bronchi.
Based on the above, it is worth stopping the consumption of titanium dioxide-containing foods and food supplements as soon as possible.
With us, all RIAVITA products contain titanium dioxide-free capsules, which are marked with the crossed chemical symbol for titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the packaging.
Wishing You good health,
RIAVITA Team