Going Public

China’s government is working on its plan to eliminate outmoded capacities of TiO2 and strengthen environmental protection measurements. Small and middle-sized enterprises, with a production capacity under 50,000t/a, are the ones to suffer. They mostly get merged or need to withdraw from the market. Without their production capacity of about 500,000 tonnes yearly, the domestic output might shrink about 20%. This will enhance the power of listed companies in China immensely, which is one of the main reasons for the effort to go public.

“Unlike some other chemicals used in food, titanium dioxide has no nutritive, preservative, or food safety function—its use is purely cosmetic,” said CSPI principal scientist for additives and supplements, Thomas Galligan. “The prospect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles damaging DNA is concerning enough for us to recommend consumers avoid foods that have it.” 

3. Lithopone can be used as a filler for leather and linoleum.

No. EFSA’s role was limited to evaluating the risks linked to titanium dioxide as a food additive. This included an assessment of relevant scientific information on TiO₂, its potential toxicity, and estimates of human dietary exposure. Any legislative or regulatory decisions on the authorisations of food additives are the responsibility of the risk managers (i.e. European Commission and Member States).