The common place food additive which is used in products including sweets, chewing gum and toothpaste is to fall under reviewed by the Australian Food Safety Watchdog after a European study has found it to be unsafe.
Titanium dioxide is the name of the food additive we are talking about. It has been a common food supplement in Australia and has been used in consumer products here and abroad for decades, often used as a whitening agent.
Why?
Australian and New Zealand Food Standards (FSANZ) is seeking information on titanium dioxide and its safety when used as a food additive in both the nations.
It comes after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) renewed its recommendations on this natural compound in May and found that carcinogenic effects are not able to be ruled out.
“EFSA’s expert panel on food additives and flavourings recently concluded that although the evidence for general toxic effects was not conclusive, titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive,” an official statement from the Australian and New Zealand food safety watchdog read.
Official Statement
“FSANZ, in consultation with our independent scientific advisory teams, is now reviewing EFSA tests and available evidence regarding the safety of titanium dioxide as a dietary supplement.
“This will determine whether any actions need to be taken to protect the health and safety of Australian and New Zealand consumers.”
FSANZ seeks information from stakeholders regarding the quantity of titanium dioxide particles used in food, as well as information on its safety as a food supplement, to help its testing be relevant and up to date.
Previous Study
“After oral absorption, the absorption of titanium dioxide particles is low, however they can accumulate in the body,” said Professor Younes.
He said the tests were conducted in a robust manner and considered “thousands” of study lessons learned from the previous EFSA examinations in 2016. This adds new scientific evidence and data to nanoparticles.
FSANZ has requested that the information be made available on September 17 as part of its review.