Prof. Matthew Wright, chair of EFSA’s working group on E171, noted: “Although the evidence for general toxic effects was not conclusive, on the basis of the new data and strengthened methods we could not rule out a concern for genotoxicity and consequently we could not establish a safe level for daily intake of the food additive.”

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are commonly found in a wide-range of consumer goods, including cosmetics, sunscreens, paints and colorings, ceramics, glass, textiles, construction materials, medicine, food, food packaging, and more. In Europe, cosmetic companies are required to label products that contain nanoparticles. In the U.S., companies are not.

Yesterday, the domestic rutile type, anatase titanium dioxide new single price stability, the market overall transaction focus moved up. Titanium dioxide factory work normally, more delivery of early orders, less spot supply; And buyers still have inventory digestion, the current mentality turned to wait-and-see. The volume of new orders in the market is limited.The key factors affecting the current market price change1. Inventory: the mainstream manufacturer inventory is low, there are still early delivery orders, it is expected that today's spot inventory is still low, and the mainstream factory spot is tight.

How can I tell if a product has titanium dioxide in it? How can I avoid the ingredient?

① Coatings: The downstream demand structure of domestic and overseas titanium dioxide is similar. Coatings are the largest application fields, accounting for 61% of the consumption. Among the four components of paint products, namely resin, pigments and fillers, solvents and additives, titanium dioxide accounts for 10% to 25% of the total cost, accounting for more than 90% of the total amount of pigments and fillers, and more than 95% of the total amount of white pigments.

While this ruling from the EU General Court doesn’t immediately change the regulations surrounding titanium dioxide, nor does it change the ban that went into place in 2022, it does put the ingredient back in the spotlight.
 
In the coming months, we will see how the ruling impacts the regulations around titanium dioxide (E171), and we’ll see if the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will take another look at the body of scientific evidence used to justify the current ban on E171 in foods and pharmaceuticals.

In a study published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology in 2020, researchers examined the effects of food additives titanium dioxide and silica on the intestinal tract by grouping and feeding mice three different food-grade particles — micro-TiO2, nano-TiO2, and nano-SiO2.  With all three groups, researchers observed changes in the gut microbiota, particularly mucus-associated bacteria. Furthermore, all three groups experienced inflammatory damage to the intestine, but the nano-TiO2 displayed the most pronounced changes. The researchers wrote: “Our results suggest that the toxic effects on the intestine were due to reduced intestinal mucus barrier function and an increase in metabolite lipopolysaccharides which activated the expression of inflammatory factors downstream. In mice exposed to nano-TiO2, the intestinal PKC/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway was activated. These findings will raise awareness of toxicities associated with the use of food-grade TiO2 and SiO2.”

Blanc de Comines, 27 per cent zinc sulphide, 70.5 per cent barium sulphate, 2.5 per cent zinc carbonate.

Titanium dioxide goes into many industrial and consumer products. It makes paper white and bright, it keeps plastics and rubber soft and flexible, and helps remove harmful emissions from car exhaust, among many other uses. In the drug industry, it's a key ingredient in pill capsules and tablet coatings to keep the medicine inside from being affected by sunlight. 

Because of its unique properties, titanium dioxide is widely used and is well known in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Titanium dioxide was one of the first materials to be used in nanotechnology products. However, the potential toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles is a controversial subject. Many cosmetic companies use titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Because of its bright whiteness, it is used in products such as paints, coatings, papers, inks, toothpaste, face powder, and food colouring.

The US and Canada, however, approve the use of titanium dioxide as a food additive. Canada's recent review of titanium dioxide reconfirmed its safety and pointed out that many of the toxicity studies the EU reviewed were not relevant to the safety of titanium dioxide as a food ingredient, and that the ban is based on an abundance of caution and uncertainty.