You can find more information about EFSA’s work in the area of food additives on our website
Titanium dioxide particles help light scatter and reflect, Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a medical toxicology physician at the National Capital Poison Center, told Health. Because of that, we often use it as a whitening agent.
In its 2016 opinion, the ANS Panel recommended new studies be carried out to fill the gaps on possible effects on the reproductive system, which could enable them to set an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI ). Uncertainty around the characterisation of the material used as the food additive (E 171) was also highlighted, in particular with respect to particle size and particle size distribution of titanium dioxide used as E 171.
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. Tronox Limited is another top TiO2 factory that is known for its premium quality products and innovative technology. With manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Australia, Tronox is a leading producer of titanium dioxide pigments that are used in a wide range of applications, including paints, plastics, and paper. Tronox's TiO2 products are renowned for their superior performance, durability, and color consistency, making them a top choice for manufacturers seeking high-quality pigments.What titanium dioxide is really emblematic of ... is the failure of FDA to look back at these old decisions and ask whether its decisions that were made in this case ... 56 years ago (in the 1966 approval) still hold up, he said.
Economic conditions, such as inflation, interest rates, and exchange rates, can also impact titanium prices. A strong economy typically leads to higher demand for titanium, driving up prices. On the other hand, a weak economy can result in lower demand and lower prices. In addition, fluctuations in the value of the US dollar can affect the cost of imported titanium products.Even though it is one of the most-produced chemicals, the real and potential benefits of titanium dioxide are not without controversies. Dust inhalation may cause breathing problems. Titanium dioxide has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as an Group 2B carcinogen, a “possible carcinogen to humans,” based on studies of rats that inhaled the substance.
Market Dynamics
Asia
Moreover, the region of sourcing can also impact pricing. Suppliers in different geographical locations may offer varied prices due to differences in transportation costs, availability of raw materials, and local market conditions. Buyers must consider these regional variances when negotiating prices and establishing long-term relationships with suppliers. In many cases, sourcing from manufacturers that can produce high-quality lithopone pigments at competitive rates can lead to significant cost savings.
Titanium dioxide can also be found in dairy products to make them whiter and brighter … like frosting or cottage cheese, Stoiber told USA TODAY, adding that the additive is used in other products – such as food or beverage instant mixes – as an anti-caking agent.
Some websites maintain titanium dioxide is inferior to zinc oxide, another mineral sunscreen ingredient whose core characteristics are similar to those of titanium dioxide. The reality is that titanium dioxide is a great broad-spectrum SPF ingredient and is widely used in all manner of sun-protection products. What gets confusing for some consumers is trying to decipher research that ranks sunscreen ingredients by a UV spectrum graph. By most standards, broad-spectrum coverage for sunscreen ingredients is defined as one that surpasses 360 nanometers (abbreviated as “nm” - how the sun’s rays are measured). Titanium dioxide exceeds this range of protection, but depending on whose research you read, it either performs as well as or slightly below zinc oxide.
But despite all these cries of alarm, five years on from the original study no further testing into the safety of Titanium Dioxide in our food supply
The construction industry, for instance, has long utilized cheap barium sulfate superfine as a filler in cement and concrete mixtures. Its high density contributes to increased weight and stability, while its inertness ensures minimal chemical reactions, enhancing the durability of structures. Moreover, in the oil and gas sector, it serves as a weighting agent in drilling fluids, preventing blowouts by adding density to the fluid and stabilizing wellbores.