Food safety experts in the European Union (EU) have recently updated their safety assessment of TiO₂ as a food additive. In Europe, TiO₂ is referred to as E171, in accordance with European labelling requirements for food additives. The EU expert panel took into account toxicity studies of TiO₂ nanoparticles, which to this point had not been considered relevant to the safety assessment of TiO₂ as a food additive.  

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It’s also used in food products to provide a white color. Candies, cakes and creamers are examples of foods that may contain titanium dioxide for its color enhancing and bleaching properties.

Currently, titanium dioxide as a food additive is classified as GRAS, or “generally recognized as safe.” 

Breathing problems in offspring

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Titanium dioxide nanoparticles may accumulate and cause DNA damage

≥ 5 % of standard sample

With the growing demand for dyes and pigments in various industries, the need for a reliable and efficient titanium dioxide factory has become more important than ever. Titanium dioxide is a crucial ingredient in the production of dyes and pigments, as it provides excellent coverage and brightness to the final product.

Zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is a popular cross-linking agent for rubber and for various resins. It is essential in the formulation of solvent-borne polychloroprene adhesives. Furthermore, zinc oxide is a good UV stabilizer, has biocidal activity and has a relatively high refractive index (2.0) which makes it an efficient white pigment. Some typical properties are: density 5.6 g/cm³; particle size 0.036-3 μm; oil absorption 10–20 g/100 g; specific surface area 10–45 m²/g. Zinc oxide is produced by reaction of the metal in the vapour state with oxygen. Zinc oxide is nonporous and is quite pure. Thus, the high surface area of some grades is due to the small particle size of zinc oxide. Some grades, especially for use in the rubber industry, are surface modified by deposition of 0.2-0.4% of stearic acid, propionic acid, or light oil [47].

In a review published in 2022 in the journal Archives of Toxicology, researchers found that the ingestion of E171 is a “a definite health risk for consumers and their progeny.” After reviewing dozens of in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro studies on the toxicity of E171, the researchers wrote that two facts must be noted: “First, reprotoxicity studies show that animals of both sexes are impacted by the toxicity of these nanoparticles, underlining the importance of conducting in vivo studies using both male and female animals. Second, human exposure begins in utero via maternal-fetal transfer and continues after birth by breastfeeding. Children are then chronically re-exposed due to their food preferences. To be relevant to the human in vivo situation, experimental studies should therefore consider nanoparticle exposure with respect to the age or life period of the studied population.”

Often used as a glaze for ceramics, titanium dioxide provides a bright, glossy finish and improves the durability and stain resistance of ceramic products.

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Above 10%, 1 kg of TiO2 should be replaced by 1.3 kg of Lithopone 30%, reducing the amount of polymer accordingly.