France prohibits controversial whitening agent is titanium dioxide

France bans the controversial additive E171 in food. According to the Paris environment and the economy Ministry, the ban to 1. January enter into force in 2020. The government sees in the dye a health risk.

E171 is used in sweets and Desserts, but also in Mozzarella cheese, cosmetics, toothpaste, or medicines. The dye is used according to the manufacturer, to make foods shiny and fresh appearance. It consists of so-called nanoparticles, so tiny particles. As the whitening agent titanium dioxide is also in varnishes and paints in Grand style.

Researchers have observed in animal experiments that the nano-particles promote inflammation. You suspect that this could also promote cancer. French scientists reported about 2017, according to experiments with rats, that a regular oral intake of titanium dioxide is detrimental to the immune system and inflammation of the bowels enhanced.

The Problem: The results of animal experiments cannot be readily transferred to humans. For this reason, further investigations are necessary.

Chemistry lobby against a warning

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) with a view to the oral intake of titanium dioxide (E 171) in foodstuffs of 2016 to the conclusion that according to the available data, no evidence of health concerns for consumers.

Different authorities are assessed, an inhalative intake of the substance, so the Inhalation such as by spray-on sun cream or spray. Here are the scientific findings meet the criteria for classification as a cancer suspect substance, reported the Committee for risk assessment the European chemicals Agency Echa in 2017.

The EU Commission has considered, on this Basis, titanium dioxide as a hazardous material to be classified and labelled with the warning “possibly carcinogenic”. The European chemical industry wants to turn away. She scatters doubts to the scientific studies and records disaster scenarios.

The substance should be classified as possibly carcinogenic, the fear, all of the products with a titanium dioxide content of at least one percent is no longer recyclable and must be treated as hazardous waste. The substance is one of the world’s most widespread white creators.