The abolition of titanium dioxide in Europe and its replacement by calcium carbonate

Food additives are substances intentionally added to foods to perform certain functions, such as coloring, sweetening or helping to preserve food. Titanium dioxide, known as E171, is one such additive, which has a function related to coloring.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has stated that the dye can no longer be considered safe.

Understand:

According to EU legislation from 2008, the safety of all food additives authorized for use before 20 January 2009 had to be reassessed.

Therefore, the safety of the food additive E171 was reconsidered by the EFSA ANS Panel in 2016, under Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, as part of the re-evaluation programme for food additives authorised in the EU before 20 January 2009.

At the request of the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF Panel) provided an updated safety assessment of the food additive titanium dioxide (E171), taking into account all new relevant data available to EFSA since the completion of its re-evaluation in 2016.

What is titanium dioxide?

Titanium dioxide (E171) is used to make food products, sweets and beverages more appealing. A compound also used in paints, cosmetics and medicines, E171 is responsible for giving color to colorless foods and restoring their appearance.

The additive is not necessary for food, from a technical point of view, has no nutritional value and does not contribute to the durability of the ingredients, is used only for aesthetic purposes, and can cause health problems in the long term, with the accumulation of titanium dioxide in the body.

Why is titanium dioxide not considered safe as a food additive?

EFSA carried out an analysis of all relevant scientific evidence available on titanium dioxide, and concluded that the concern about the genotoxicity of TiO 2 particles cannot be ruled out. Based on these studies, EFSA experts no longer consider titanium dioxide safe when used as a food additive, which means that an acceptable daily intake cannot be established for E171.

Genotoxicity is the potential of a chemical substance to harm DNA, the genetic material of cells. Since it can lead to carcinogenic effects, it is necessary to assess the potential genotoxic effect of a substance in order to conclude on its safety.

In order to anticipate potential opportunities of interest in the Brazilian market, Labonathus continually seeks to follow trends and innovations from other locations, and with this in mind, it highlights the promotion of one of its ingredients as an alternative to replace Titanium Dioxide, Natural Calcium Carbonate (NCC).

What would be the alternative?

The industry’s concern for “clean label” ingredients, especially dyes, is mainly due to the ongoing search for healthy alternatives that meet consumer demands, aiming to offer increasingly safer and healthier products for consumption.

Natural Calcium Carbonate (NCC) is a premium, natural product, white in color, high in purity and presented in different granulometries. It is ideal for meeting the needs of your product, with all the advantages that a natural component can offer, while respecting the most demanding safety standards.

Calcium carbonate is a renewable ingredient that provides several benefits. It regenerates in nature in a relatively short period of time, or from an economic point of view, it regenerates before it needs to be used again, thus making its use a truly positive balance in the search for sustainability.

Therefore, we can highlight that Natural Calcium Carbonate (NCC) is one of the viable alternatives for replacing Titanium Dioxide in all its applications. This option is present in our portfolio, which has a strategic supplier of this additive, with traceability, quality and all the reliability that your product deserves.

For more details, contact our team.