Potentially carcinogenic substance found in food despite ban – healing practice

Titanium dioxide in dietary supplements and sugar pearls

titanium dioxide is a substance for which a mutagenic and carcinogenic effect cannot be excluded. Although this substance is now available in the European Union races is forbidden, it is nevertheless in various lives and food supplements to find.

Titanium dioxide was banned for use in food across the EU for a few weeks, but commercial products can still be sold until the expiry date expires. According to one, the consumer advice center Rhineland-Palatinate Message 35 products containing titanium dioxide were found in a random sample.

Sale allowed until expiry date

Titanium dioxide has been used for years as a food additive E 171 is used to color various foods and is used in confectionery and coatings, for example in dragees and chewing gum.

The substance gives products such as glazes or sugar pearls a white glow. It was also used to color foods such as marshmallows or mayonnaise.

Under the designation CI 77891, the substance is also contained as a white pigment in cosmetic products such as toothpaste, reports the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). Additionally, titanium dioxide is used as a filter to protect against ultraviolet rays in sunscreen products.

Titanium dioxide has been banned in food across the EU since August 8, 2022 because a mutagenic and carcinogenic effects cannot be excluded. However, some products containing titanium dioxide have a long shelf life and may still be sold until the expiration date has passed.

Sample in mid-August

In a sample in mid-August, the Rhineland-Palatinate Consumer Advice Center took a closer look at supermarkets, discounters and drugstores and found dietary supplements, Candyready-to-use light sauces, mozzarella and cake decorations – all products in which titanium dioxide was previously used.

It turned out that some products still contained titanium dioxide and had not yet expired. The additive was found most often in food supplements, but also in cake decorations, chewing gums and lollipops with titanium dioxide in the ingredient list were still on the shelves.

In products with a short expiry date, such as Mozzarella experts no longer found the additive controversial.

The consumer advice center advises those who want to do without titanium dioxide to take a look at the ingredient list throw. Products containing the ingredient “titanium dioxide” or “E171” should then no longer end up in the shopping cart. (ad)