For the Year 2020

Titanium dioxide is a common pigment, and zinc oxide and magnesium oxide are common fillers in rubber base adhesives.

This food chemical has been used in food for more than half a century, but recent studies show it may be harmful. 

Until relevant toxicological and human exposure data that would enable reliable risk assessment are obtained, TiO₂ nanoparticles should be used with great care.

In 1970, Japanese scholars studied the phase diagram of iron oxide microcrystalline formation, which laid a theoretical foundation for the preparation method of iron oxide yellow crystal seed. According to the research results, iron yellow crystal seeds can be formed under acidic or alkaline conditions. Because iron yellow is a crystal structure, in order to crystallize into pigment particles, it must first form crystal nucleus and become crystal seed, and then the crystal nucleus grows into iron yellow. Otherwise, only thin and dim color paste can be obtained, which does not have pigment properties. Acid process can be divided into iron sheet process and drop addition process.

Titanium dioxide prices in the Asian market skyrocketed due to high demand and limited stock availability. Prices in the Chinese market surged significantly, reaching 2875 USD /MT at the end of March, well above the USD 2015/MT level in January 2021.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles may accumulate and cause DNA damage

According to the American Chemistry Council, titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an inorganic substance that's used as a white powder in a variety of industrial and consumer goods, including in sunscreen, cosmetics, toothpaste, paint, plastics, food and more.

Composition

As of August 7, the use of titanium dioxide in food is banned in the European Union. Europe is taking a precautionary principle approach based on findings from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).