Mars Wrigley, the company that makes Skittles, is being sued by a California man who claims the candy contains a known toxin that poses such a serious health risk that Skittles are unfit for human consumption.
R-895 is a paint grade titanium dioxide pigment produced by the chlorination process. Recommended for use in a variety of coating applications.
In the food industry, sodium bicarbonate is a staple ingredient in baking, where it acts as a leavening agent, causing dough and batter to rise. Suppliers in this sector often provide food-grade sodium bicarbonate, which is safe for consumption and adheres to stringent food safety regulations. They also cater to specialized needs, like organic or non-GMO options, to meet the growing consumer preference for natural and eco-friendly products. After the mixing, the concrete is poured into molds or forms, where it undergoes a curing processThe reaction liquid is filtered through plate and frame pressure to obtain lithopone in the form of a filter cake with a moisture content of no more than 45%. It is then roasted in a drying furnace to change the crystal form of lithopone, and is then pickled with sulfuric acid at a temperature of 80°C. Finally, it is washed with water, reinforced with colorants, filtered, dried and ground into powder.
One of the key benefits of using lithopone in plastics is its ability to improve the opacity and brightness of the final product. This is particularly important in applications where a high level of whiteness is desired, such as in the production of packaging materials, consumer goods, and construction materials.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.
In the food and pharmaceutical industries, titanium dioxide powder is used as a white pigment in a variety of products, including candies, toothpaste, and medications. It is important for suppliers to provide titanium dioxide powder that is safe for use in food and pharmaceutical applications and complies with strict regulatory requirements.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is commonly applied to enhance the white colour and brightness of food products. TiO2 is also used as white pigment in other products such as toothpaste. A small fraction of the pigment is known to be present as nanoparticles (NPs). Recent studies with TiO2 NPs indicate that these particles can have toxic effects. In this paper, we aimed to estimate the oral intake of TiO2 and its NPs from food, food supplements and toothpaste in the Dutch population aged 2 to over 70 years by combining data on food consumption and supplement intake with concentrations of Ti and TiO2 NPs in food products and supplements. For children aged 2-6 years, additional intake via ingestion of toothpaste was estimated. The mean long-term intake to TiO2 ranges from 0.06 mg/kg bw/day in elderly (70+), 0.17 mg/kg bw/day for 7-69-year-old people, to 0.67 mg/kg bw/day in children (2-6 year old). The estimated mean intake of TiO2 NPs ranges from 0.19 μg/kg bw/day in elderly, 0.55 μg/kg bw/day for 7-69-year-old people, to 2.16 μg/kg bw/day in young children. Ninety-fifth percentile (P95) values are 0.74, 1.61 and 4.16 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. The products contributing most to the TiO2 intake are toothpaste (in young children only), candy, coffee creamer, fine bakery wares and sauces. In a separate publication, the results are used to evaluate whether the presence of TiO2 NPs in these products can pose a human health risk.
Suppliers play a crucial role in transforming these raw materials into usable titanium dioxide. They employ specialized extraction techniques such as the Becher process for ilmenite or the sulfate process for rutile and anatase, which involve chemically treating the ore to produce titanium dioxide. In the sulfate process, for example, the ore is treated with sulfuric acid to form titanyl sulfate, which is then calcined to yield titanium dioxide.Lithopone was developed in the 1870s as a substitute for lead carbonate (lead white), to overcome its drawbacks of toxicity and poor weathering resistance. Within a few years, titanium dioxide displaced lithopone to become the white pigment (PW6) par excellence in the industry and the world’s best-selling inorganic pigment. However, titanium is a product whose price is subject to large price variations due to product availability. These price increases affect the competitiveness of finished products, and so the search for an alternative to titanium dioxide has generated a variety of possibilities to optimise its use.
Developments in the paints & coatings industry and increase in plastic products are some of the major drivers of the global Lithopone market. It is used in paints and coating systems such as emulsion paints, as a partial replacement for Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) without loss of quality. The demand for white pigments in the plastic processing industry is projected to grow during the forecast period.
One of the top TiO2 suppliers in the industry is Tronox, a global leader in titanium technologies. Tronox offers a wide range of TiO2 products, including both rutile and anatase grades, to cater to the diverse needs of its customersIn 2023, California and New York proposed banning several food additives that are banned in Europe but legal in the United States. Titanium dioxide was among the five proposed to be banned, but in September, the additive was removed from the list of additives from the California ban list.
In addition to Skittles, other candies that contain titanium dioxide include Nice! mints, Trolli sour gummies and Ring Pops, according to Environmental Working Group.
In recent years, the use of titanium dioxide in the plastic and dyeing industries has gained popularity due to its excellent properties and versatility. As one of the leading factories producing titanium dioxide, R218 factory has played a significant role in meeting the increasing demand for this essential compound.BaSO4+4CO→BaS+4CO2
After drying, the sample is weighed precisely, and through stoichiometric calculations, the amount of titanium dioxide in the original sample can be determined
. The resulting calculation helps determine the gravimetric percentage of titanium dioxide present, providing manufacturers with critical information for quality control.