You may be taking a second look at your favorite candy after hearing this week's news about titanium dioxide. Recently, a lawsuit was filed against Mars, Inc. based on claims that the manufacturer's popular Skittles candy is unfit for human consumption. The class-action lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in mid-July, alleged that the candy contained heightened levels of a known toxin called titanium dioxide — a food additive that the company previously pledged to phase out from their products in 2016, according to the Center for Food Safety.
Lithopone is used in water-based paints because of its excellent alkali resistance. It is also used as a whitener and reinforcing agent for rubber and as a filler and whitener for paper.
- Overall, universal type products like R996 are essential components in the production of high-quality paints. Their unique properties, including bright white color, high opacity, UV resistance, and versatility, make them ideal choices for a wide range of applications. Whether used in interior or exterior paints, industrial coatings, or automotive finishes, R996 and other titanium dioxide pigments play a critical role in creating paints that are durable, attractive, and long-lasting.
- Tridecanal
Pigmentary TiO2 particles are approximately 200-350nm in dimension and this form accounts for 98 percent of total production. It is used mainly for light scattering and surface opacity applications. It is used as a base for various colour paints or as a standalone ‘brilliant’ white.
The safety of the food additive E 171 was re-evaluated by the EFSA ANS Panel in 2016 in the frame of Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, as part of the re-evaluation programme for food additives authorised in the EU before 20 January 2009.
The titanium dioxide market fluctuated in the first two quarters of 2023. These pricing patterns resulted from poor demand and reduced intakes from the downstream industries. Amid the slow demand, the manufacturers were forced to reduce their outputs. With rising inflation rates, production cuts gradually increased. Given the economic downturn, the labor strikes further affected the market dynamics, thereby exerting pressure on the pricing fundamentals.
Although the evidence for general toxic effects was not conclusive, on the basis of the new data and strengthened methods our scientists could not rule out a concern for genotoxicity and consequently they could not establish a safe level for daily intake of TiO2 as a food additive.
The second quarter of 2022 saw mixed market sentiments for titanium dioxide prices. Due to demands, constrained supply and ineffective production capacity brought on by the stretched supply chain, labour shortage, and high energy prices, the production of the chemical increased in Q2 of 2022. Moreover, the US Federal Reserve's tight monetary policy and high interest rates worsened the domestic trade picture, which at quarter's conclusion supported titanium dioxide's unfavourable market views.

Rebecca Capua
Titanium IV oxide, also known as titanium dioxide, is a popular and versatile compound that is used in various industries. It is a white pigment and is commonly found in products such as sunscreen, paints, food coloring, and even in some medications. This versatile compound has unique properties that make it an essential ingredient in many products.