Titanium dioxide is the most widely used whitening pigment in the world and has been linked to adverse health effects, particularly genotoxicity and intestinal inflammation. It is applied as food coloring and a whitening agent to a wide variety of foods, including chewing gum, cakes, candies, breads and ice cream. 

But if thats not quite enough..............

With the rise of nanotechnology, research in recent years has also shown the dangers of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, and their genotoxicity, which refers to a chemical agent’s ability to harm or damage DNA in cells, thus potentially causing cancer. 

The Health Concern

Specific gravity:

Infrared analysis showed that the characteristics bands for the bare nanoparticles are still exhibited in the vitamins@P25TiO₂NPs spectra, such as a wide peak in 450–1028 cm⁻¹ related to the stretching vibration of Ti-O-Ti and other peaks in 1630 cm⁻¹ and 3400 cm⁻¹, which represent the surface OH groups stretching. The IR spectrum of vitaminB2@P25TiO₂NPs showed signs of binding between compounds. The OH bending peak (1634 cm⁻¹) corresponding to bare nanoparticles disappeared, and the NH₂ bending band characteristic of vitamin B2 appeared (1650 cm⁻¹). The IR spectrum of vitaminC@P25TiO₂NPs also showed signs of successful functionalization. Bands at 1075 cm⁻¹; 1120 cm⁻¹; 1141 cm⁻¹ were observed, which are originated by CO-C vibrations present in the vitamin C. The intense band at 1672 cm⁻¹ is attributed to the C = O stretching in the lactone ring while the peak at 1026 cm⁻¹ is ascribed to the stretching vibration Ti-O-C. Wide bands at 3880–3600 cm⁻¹ are related to stretching vibration OH groups, but those disappear in the modified nanoparticles spectrum. These observations confirm the interactions between the P25TiO₂NPs and the vitamins [35].

Titanium dioxide, also called titania, is an odorless white powder and naturally occurring mineral that is widely used as a pigment for its brightness and whitening effects on a variety of materials, such as paint, plastic, paper, cosmetics, sunscreens, toothpastes and foods.

The safety of the food additive E 171 was re-evaluated by the EFSA ANS Panel in 2016 in the frame of Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, as part of the re-evaluation programme for food additives authorised in the EU before 20 January 2009.