As for titanium dioxide, the FDA approved titanium dioxide for use as a food additive in 1966. The last time the agency reviewed the additive’s safety, according to the Guardian, was in 1973.

What is titanium dioxide? Why is it used in food products?

With its storied history and distinct properties, lithopone remains a subject of historical significance and contemporary relevance. While its applications and popularity have evolved, its role in the annals of pigment history is indisputable.

Opportunities

In an early study Jani et al. administred rutile TiO₂ (500 nm) as a 0.1 ml of 2.5 % w/v suspension (12.5 mg/kg BW) to female Sprague Dawley rats, by oral gavage daily for 10 days and detected presence of particles in all the major gut associated lymphoid tissue as well as in distant organs such as the liver, spleen, lung and peritoneal tissue, but not in heart and kidney. The distribution and toxicity of nano- (25 nm, 80 nm) and submicron-sized (155 nm) TiO₂ particles were evaluated in mice administered a large, single, oral dosing (5 g/kg BW) by gavage. In the animals that were sacrificed two weeks later, ICP-MS analysis showed that the particles were retained mainly in liver, spleen, kidney, and lung tissues, indicating that they can be transported to other tissues and organs after uptake by the gastrointestinal tract. Interestingly, although an extremely high dose was administrated, no acute toxicity was observed. In groups exposed to 80 nm and 155 nm particles, histopathological changes were observed in the liver, kidney and in the brain. The biochemical serum parameters also indicated liver, kidney and cardiovascular damage and were higher in mice treated with nano-sized (25 or 80 nm) TiO₂ compared to submicron-sized (155 nm) TiO₂. However, the main weaknesses of this study are the use of extremely high single dose and insufficient characterisation of the particles.

The company was established in 1989. Its predecessor is the titanium dioxide factory, a secondary independent accounting production unit affiliated to CNNC 404. It is a high-grade rutile with an annual output of more than 10,000 tons that imported advanced foreign technology and key equipment earlier in my country. It is also a high-quality titanium dioxide supplier in my country earlier in the market. After years of development, the company now has three production bases in Jiayuguan, Gansu, Baiyin, and Maanshan, Anhui.