Meals Components That Are Banned In Europe (However Not In The USA)

Titanium dioxide (also called E171) has been a staple meals additive for many years, primarily used to impart a vibrant white colour to varied meals, starting from baked items and sandwich spreads (assume mayo) to soups, sauces, and salad dressings. Nonetheless, current developments have led to its banning as a meals additive by the European Fee, a choice originating from considerations raised by the EFSA (through the European Fee). 

Whereas not definitively concluding that E171 poses a confirmed well being danger, the EFSA didn’t rule out the potential of opposed results, significantly the potential for genotoxicity, which means that titanium dioxide may need the capability to trigger DNA harm, elevating alarm bells for well being authorities within the European Union (EU). One of many key elements contributing to those considerations is the buildup of titanium dioxide particles within the physique following oral ingestion regardless of their usually low absorption, seeing that there are doubts concerning their long-term results on animals, customers, and the setting (through the EFSA). The EU, guided by the precautionary precept, determined to err on the facet of warning and banned its use as a meals additive in gentle of the unsure security profile. 

In distinction, E171 stays a broadly used meals coloring agent in the USA. In truth, in line with New Atlas, it appears to be current in over 11,000 meals and beverage merchandise nationwide, because the FDA continues to permit the usage of titanium dioxide in meals merchandise, offered that it doesn’t exceed 1% by weight of the meals (per the FDA).