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Quote of the day:

“If you keep good food in your fridge, you will eat good food.”

– Errick McAdams

Titanium Dioxide

What is it?

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), is an inorganic chemical that serves as a dye to give specific attributes to products and extend shelf life. Titanium dioxide is a commonly used white pigment in various consumer products like paint but is also sadly added in our food items (E171). It is primarily added to provide whiteness, opacity, and brightness to these products. It can currently be found in over 3,000 products.

It’s used in products such as sunscreens, cosmetics, paints, paper, tampons, toothpaste, and plastics. You can also find titanium dioxide in food products like candy, coffee creamer, baking goods, cereal, gum, chocolate and white sauces.

To make it more confusing and difficult to identify, it often appears under alternative names on ingredient lists. The FDA does not require explicit labeling of Titanium Dioxide, allowing it to be listed as "artificial color," "artificial color added," or "color added."

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) banned its use after reviewing numerous scientific studies that demonstrated its genotoxic effects, which can lead to DNA damage and potentially cancerous conditions. European food companies quickly removed this chemical from their products, but in the United States, it is still permitted by the FDA. Notably, A bill is currently pending in California that aims to ban the use of Titanium Dioxide.

Why does it matter?

You may not be familiar with the term titanium dioxide, but you may be familiar with the lawsuit against MARS, specifically for titanium dioxide in Skittles. The crazier part is that the Skittles (and all other products) sold in the EU do NOT have Titanium Dioxide in them because of the ban. This proves that it is an unnecessary added ingredient to our foods.

Titanium dioxide is categorized as "Generally Recognized as Safe" by the FDA, but concerns about its potential dangers have been raised by other organizations. The European Food Safety Authority has updated its safety assessment and no longer considers titanium dioxide safe as a food additive due to evidence of potential harmful effects and accumulation in the body over time. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety also no longer considers titanium dioxide safe when used as a food additive.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified titanium dioxide as a possible human carcinogen based on limited evidence from animal studies involving the inhalation of titanium dioxide particles, which increased the risk of lung cancer. A 2017 study published in Scientific Reports found that rats consuming titanium dioxide in their diet exhibited impaired immune systems, which could potentially contribute to autoimmune diseases and colorectal cancer.

Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that ingested titanium dioxide may not be fully eliminated from the body. There is concern that prolonged exposure, even in small amounts, can lead to accumulation in organs such as the kidneys, spleen, and liver. Excessive exposure to titanium dioxide, particularly through inhalation, may result in respiratory issues, skin irritation, reproductive and developmental effects, inflammation, and a potential increased risk of cancer. It is worth noting that titanium dioxide appears to have low skin penetration but is of greater concern when frequently inhaled or ingested over time.

How to remove from your life?

It is frustrating to see other countries ban ingredients due to it potential harm while the US continues to keep them in products. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is used as a food additive and can be found in a variety of food products. Some common food products that may contain titanium dioxide include:

• Confectionery and sweets: Candies, most chewing gum, chocolates, and coated snacks like Skittles, M&M's, starburst, ring pops, sour patch, jell-o, and other colorful candies.

• Baked goods and pastries: Cookies, cakes, pastries, biscuits, and frostings like Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Zebra Cakes, powdered donuts, and most Little Debbie baked goods

• Dairy products: Some dairy-based desserts, icing, and dairy-based spreads like half and half, coffee creamer, lucerne cottage cheese, mac & cheese, kraft cheese, queso dips, ice cream pints, and more.

• Sauces and dressings: Certain salad dressings, mayonnaise, and creamy sauces like most ranch dressing and mayo.

• Beverages: Some powdered drink mixes, energy drinks, and flavored beverages.

• Processed foods: Some processed meats, ready-to-eat meals, soups, and convenience foods.

Titanium dioxide is also used in various non-food products, including:

• Cosmetics and personal care products: Sunscreen, foundation, lotion, toothpaste, lip balm, and various makeup products. In cosmetics, titanium dioxide is often used as a UV filter to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation. I would steer clear of anything that can be inhaled or ingested.

• Pharmaceuticals: Some medications or supplements, particularly in the form of tablets or capsules, may contain titanium dioxide as a coating or coloring agent.

• Paints, coatings, and plastics: Titanium dioxide is extensively used as a white pigment in paints, coatings, plastics, and other materials to provide opacity and brightness. You want to make sure you are wearing a mask when dealing with paint that can be inhaled.

• Paper: In the paper industry, titanium dioxide can be used as a filler or coating to improve the whiteness and opacity of paper products.

• Tampons: Titanium dioxide is in tampons like the brand tampax and L brands. There are many other harmful ingredients in these big brands I would switch to Lola, Cora, or Honey Pot.

As always read your ingredient labels and try and avoid processed foods as much as possible as this is where most of these harmful ingredient live.

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