Banned in Europe, this controversial ingredient is allowed in foods here

A CBC Marketplace investigation found some food manufacturers are producing snack foods for the Canadian market that contain an ingredient banned in Europe.

That additive, titanium dioxide, was banned in the European Union after a May 2021 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) review couldn’t rule out that it may cause DNA or chromosomal damage in humans.

“What we concluded was that we could not really exclude the possibility that titanium dioxide can damage the DNA material, the genetic material in the cells,” Camilla Smeraldi, team leader for EFSA’s food additive and flavourings team, told Marketplace in an interview from her office in Parma, Italy. “It’s not something that we should intentionally add to foods.”

Leviathan,

we could not really exclude the possibility

You’ll excuse me if this doesn’t on its face fill me with any real sense of urgency.

howrar,

From what I recall, the danger of TiO2 comes from inhaling the particles, which means that when it’s mixed into food, it becomes harmless. But it does means that it’s dangerous to those involved in preparing the food if safety precautions aren’t taken.

nyan, (edited )

Hmm. “Couldn’t rule out” ≠ “does”. I can understand wanting to hold a claim of damage to a slightly higher standard of proof. I can also understand wanting to err on the side of caution.

On trhe one hand, this looks like a nothingburger to me—likely this stuff is no more dangerous than, say, table salt (which no one expects to completely remove from processed foods even though it has known medical risks associated with it).

On the other hand, titanium dioxide is just a colourant, so taking it out doesn’t alter the food in any way that matters.

🤷

BCsven,

I think your last point is the major point; why add it if the science is not giving a definitive answer. IDGAF if my toothpaste isn’t as white as before.

wise_pancake,

Health Canada published a review of titanium dioxide studies in June 2022, which found there is no conclusive scientific evidence that the food additive is a concern for human health.

After reading the review it does make their code I’m choice make more sense, however I do think the more you add to food the worse it probably is.

Octospider,
@Octospider@kbin.social avatar

I wouldn't panic. Health scares happen every now and then. Takes a lot to get substances banned in Canada. BHT, Glyphosate (RoundUp), Aspartame, Sucralose, MSG, etc, have all been under scrutiny at one point or another, and they are still all with us after failing to repeatedly demonstrate danger.

theneverfox,

All of those (except MSG as far as I know) are definitively bad, the only question is how bad.

The problem is in the US, we’ve basically decided if there’s no acute symptoms or a direct line to a very serious long term illness, we let companies do whatever they want.

It doesn’t flow from science to policy, it mostly flows from public sentiment to policy

SplashJackson,

Why they put this in my food? And who is doing the putting? Name and shame pleats.

My chromosomes hurt.

Nouveau_Burnswick,

Why they put this in my food?

To make it look more appealing.

And who is doing the putting?

At a minimum, the companies listed in the article.

SplashJackson,

It’s okay if I damage my chromosomes, I’ve got a few extra to spare

nik282000,
@nik282000@lemmy.ca avatar

It’s a white dye, it’s use in the lettering on Skittles and in makeup.

SteefLem,
@SteefLem@lemmy.world avatar

Dna or chromosomal damage… fuckin hell and thats in food?? Must be extra tasty or something gsus.

FireRetardant,

Must be extra tasty profitable.

SamuelRJankis,

Per the article

Titanium dioxide is used to make foods look more appealing, especially brighter and whiter.

Undearius,
@Undearius@lemmy.ca avatar

Look for Titanium White or Pigment White 6 (PW6) in the ingredients list.

SteefLem,
@SteefLem@lemmy.world avatar

Sounds like paint.

nik282000,
@nik282000@lemmy.ca avatar

It is paint, it’s a safer replacement for lead oxide.

Phil_in_here,

It’s literally what bright white paint is made of. It’s literally called Titanium White or Titanium Dioxide White.

There’s a whole history of discovering better pigments out of super toxic compounds. Not that titanium dioxide is one of them necessarily.

SteefLem,
@SteefLem@lemmy.world avatar

Wtf. So bit like

https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/44bc073b-a6dc-4543-8824-98b29d00cdde.jpeg

CPMSP,

Ride to Valhalla, shiny and …

SteefLem,
@SteefLem@lemmy.world avatar

Oh shit yeah forgot about that movie… should have used that one

eran_morad,

Dolla dolla bill

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