The US and Canada, however, approve the use of titanium dioxide as a food additive. Canada's recent review of titanium dioxide reconfirmed its safety and pointed out that many of the toxicity studies the EU reviewed were not relevant to the safety of titanium dioxide as a food ingredient, and that the ban is based on an abundance of caution and uncertainty.

The applications in which it can be used are paints, inks, plastics, elastomers, paper, fillers, adhesives… 

According to data released by the China Coatings Industry Association, the total production of China's coatings industry has increased from 12.72 million tons in 2012 to 24.388 million tons in 2019, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. Coatings, as an intermediate commodity, are closely related to downstream consumer markets such as the automotive industry, real estate, infrastructure, and home furnishings.

Nowadays, the use of nanoparticles in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products has increased. In the last case, nano-sized components are used without proper characterization of their effects, leading to unwanted and dangerous consequences for the users [1,2].

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Titanium dioxide goes into many industrial and consumer products. It makes paper white and bright, it keeps plastics and rubber soft and flexible, and helps remove harmful emissions from car exhaust, among many other uses. In the drug industry, it's a key ingredient in pill capsules and tablet coatings to keep the medicine inside from being affected by sunlight. 

Titanium dioxide exists primarily in three crystalline forms rutile, anatase, and brookite. Among these, anatase is characterized by its unique electronic properties and higher photocatalytic activity, making it suitable for applications requiring enhanced light absorption and reactivity. Its ability to act as a photocatalyst enables the breakdown of organic pollutants, making it a valuable component in environmental remediation strategies.

Why is titanium dioxide used in food, including in Skittles?

Currently, the development of TiO₂ memristors is associated with their use in modern highly technological applications, such as resistive random-access memory (RRAM), biohybrid systems, and sensors, as schematically shown in Figure 1A. In this mini-review, we briefly outline and summarize the key milestone achievements, as well as recent advances in the synthesis, fabrication, and application of TiO₂-based memristors. A special focus is placed on the relationships between the synthesis and deposition methods, the effects of post-synthesis treatment, and the resistive switching properties.

Titanium dioxide is an important chemical compound that is widely used in various applications, including paint, cosmetics, sunscreens, and food coloring. As the demand for this versatile substance continues to grow, the role of titanium dioxide manufacturers becomes crucial in ensuring a stable supply for industries around the world.

Titanium dioxide particles help light scatter and reflect, Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a medical toxicology physician at the National Capital Poison Center, told Health. Because of that, we often use it as a whitening agent.

In their role as risk managers, the European Commission and Member States will now reflect on EFSA’s scientific advice and decide upon any appropriate regulatory measures or advice for consumers.