For a mini-review published in the journal Particle and Fibre Technology in 2021, scientists wanted to evaluate whether Ti02 particles contributed to the development and/or exacerbation of irritable bowel disease, and whether they altered the four elements of intestinal barrier function: the intestinal microbiota, the immune system, the mucus layer, and the epithelium. The breakdown of these four elements can contribute to autoimmune, neurological, inflammatory, infectious, and metabolic diseases. Following their review, the researchers concluded: “Data indicate that TiO2 is able to alter the four compartments of IBF and to induce a low-grade intestinal inflammation associated or not with pre-neoplastic lesions.” 

But in the U.S., titanium dioxide is found all over the grocery shelves. Candy like Skittles, Starbursts, and Jell-O, gum like Trident White peppermint gum and Mentos Freshmint Gum, cake products like Duncan Hines Creamy Vanilla Frosting, and Nabisco Chips Ahoy! cookies are just a few of the myriad food items that contain the additive.

Manufacturers use titanium dioxide in some packaging to protect food from exposure to sunlight. Lab studies show it may also help stop bacteria from growing, and break down a gas that makes many fruits and vegetables ripen faster. That can keep products fresher and give them a longer shelf life.   

Why does the exposure route matter, and what's the risk? 

Lithopone is chemically inert and practically insoluble in acids, alkalis and solvents. The optimized particle-size distribution of Lithopone attained by means of co-precipitation and calcining permit the achievement of a high apparent density, which imparts to Lithopone its low resin requirement and its excellent rheological behaviour.

A safety review conducted by the EFSA in 2021 assessed thousands of studies published on titanium dioxide.