Health Canada's Food Directorate recently completed a “state of the science” report on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as a food additive. Food-grade TiO₂ is a white powder made up of small particles that has been permitted in Canada and internationally for many years as a food additive to whiten or brighten foods. Food-grade TiO₂ has long been considered safe in Canada and in other countries when eaten as part of the diet.

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

A  2023 study published in the journal Environmental Research, scientists examined the effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on important gut bacteria in mice. Their results showed “the growth inhibitory effects could be associated with cell membrane damage caused by titanium dioxide nanoparticles to the bacterial strains. Metabolomics analysis showed that TiO2 NPs caused alterations in multiple metabolic pathways of gut bacteria, such as tryptophan and arginine metabolism, which were demonstrated to play crucial roles in regulating gut and host health.” The researchers also found that four different neuroprotective metabolites “were significantly reduced” in urine and in vitro bacteria and vivo urine samples. The researchers concluded: “Increasing evidence implies that the gut microbiome plays a profound role in regulating host metabolism. Our results illustrated that TiO2 NPs hindered the growth of four beneficial gut bacterial strains.”

Coronavirus-related shutdowns in the first half of the quarter prompted forcible measures at several small-scale ilmenite factories in China and India, subsequently exacerbating the Titanium supply problem. The chemical's tight supply condition was extended until the end of the quarter, as few participants were heard holding cargoes in expectation of an exceptional surge in its seasonal demand.

CSPI’s Chemical Cuisine is the web’s definitive rating of the chemicals used to preserve foods and affect their taste, texture, or appearance. Besides titanium dioxide, the group recommends avoiding artificial sweeteners like aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose, as well as synthetic food dyes like Yellow 5 and Red 3. CSPI and others have recently asked the Food and Drug Administration to ban the latter dye in foods and ingested drugs because the FDA has already determined that it is a carcinogen unsafe for use in cosmetics.