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Titanium dioxide is added to some food packaging to preserve the shelf life of a product.

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Europe

Why Did Europe Ban Titanium Dioxide?

In conclusion, titanium IV oxide is a versatile compound that is used in a wide range of industries. From sunscreen to paints to food coloring to pharmaceuticals, titanium dioxide plays a vital role in many products. Its unique properties, such as UV protection, brightness, and stability, make it an essential ingredient in various applications. As technology continues to advance, titanium IV oxide will likely continue to play a key role in the manufacturing of innovative products.

Variations of titanium dioxide are added to enhance the whiteness of paint, plastics, and paper products, though these variations differ from the food-grade ones for things we eat (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).

Titanium dioxide used for adhesive applications should contain an inorganic coating to control polarity, improve its ease of dispersion, and improve its weather resistance. The inorganic coating (zirconium dioxide, silica, alumina) is applied in the aqueous slurry by precipitation of one or more hydrated metal oxides and by neutralization of acidic and alkaline compounds.

For research published in Archives of Toxicology in 2020, scientists fed one group of mice a solution containing titanium dioxide for one month, and compared it to those that did not receive the additive. They found “the richness and evenness of gut microbiota were remarkably decreased and the gut microbial community compositions were significantly changed” in the titanium dioxide group when compared with the control group. The tests also revealed that the titanium dioxide exposure could cause locomotor dysfunction, or mobility issues “by elevating the excitement of enteric neurons, which might spread to the brain via gut-brain communication by vagal pathway.” The researchers concluded: “These findings provide valuable insights into the novel mechanism of TiO2NP-induced neurotoxicity. Understanding the microbiota-gut-brain axis will provide the foundation for potential therapeutic or prevention approaches against TiO2NP-induced gut and brain-related disorders.”

In beauty and personal care products, the ingredient is listed with its colour index (CI) number ‘CI 77891’. When nano grade titanium dioxide is used in our sunscreens, this is referenced as ‘titanium dioxide’ [nano] in the ingredients list.

In order to contribute with experimental evidence that could help to achieve a better understanding of the field for future regulation, in the present work, the biocompatibility of commercial P25TiO₂NPs (one type of TiO₂NPs used in sunscreen formulations) and two novel functionalized P25TiO₂NPs were evaluated under solar simulated irradiation. White light, generated by red, blue, and yellow LEDs, together with UV ones, was chosen to simulate the solar spectra. Functionalization of TiO₂NPs was made with antioxidant vitamins in order to prevent the expected photo-initiated ROS production when nanoparticles are exposed to the simulated solar spectra. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin C were chosen to carry out the functionalization because they are water-soluble, low-cost, and are a constitutive part of biological processes. In addition, it is known that both have the potential to prevent macromolecular oxidation by ROS [23], [24], [25], [26].

In 2016, the European Food Safety Authority, or EFSA, assessed titanium dioxide and determined that the evidence available at the time didn’t conclusively point to any health problems for consumers. 

According to the EFSA's Expert Panel on Food Additives and Flavorings 2021 opinion regarding titanium dioxide, it could not rule out a concern for genotoxicity from ingestion of the material based on a perceived gap in data on this risk, which serves as the basis for current ban, said a March report on the decision.