In a 2022 study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, scientists wanted to examine the effects of titanium dioxide as a food additive on atherosclerosis in mice. (Atherosclerosis refers to a hardening of the arteries.) Researchers fed mice 40 mg/kg of the food additive every day for 4 months, and found that it not only altered gut microbiota but also led to a significantly increased atherosclerotic lesion area, especially in animals that consumed a high-choline western diet (HCD).

A legal additive in the United States, titanium dioxide is used in everything from food to consumer goods and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says regulated use of the product as a color additive in food is safe within certain restrictions.

Public health groups urge FDA to cancel titanium dioxide in food, by Center for Science in the Public Interest, May 30, 2023

One of the main challenges that manufacturers face when it comes to buff percentage is ensuring consistency. Variations in the level of coating on titanium dioxide particles can lead to differences in color, opacity, and other properties in the final product. This can be especially problematic in industries such as paint and coatings, where consistency is critical for achieving the desired results.