A commonly used food additive known as titanium dioxide is under investigation of the possibilities of having cancer causing elements. A recent study shows that this additive commonly used in sauces, chewing gum, lollipop and biscuits have been found to initiate first stage cancer in animals. Titanium dioxide is used by industries to lighten their products such as cosmetics and sunscreen.
Exposure to the nanoparticles of titanium dioxide is said to damage cells and affect the immune system, however such effects are still under debate. But a study by the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, recent research shows that after oral exposure of animals the titanium dioxide nanoparticles are absorbed by the intestine and passed into the bloodstream. The researchers exposed rats to oral doses of titanium dioxide measure equal to average person being exposed to it to on its daily life. The exposure resulted in a non-malignant stage of carcinogenesis.
This is a process wherein normal cells become cancerous cells, and 40 percent of the animals were affected. The findings prompted health officials to conduct an investigation about the food additive that results will be released at the end of March. Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, for years has been claiming that there are too little evidence nanoparticles in food because no company had applied for approval.
According to the Stuff.co.nz, nevertheless, testing by environmental group Friends of the Earth in 2015 found nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and silica in 14 popular products, including salad dressing, white sauce and sugar coated chocolates. A review into the oral ingestion of titanium dioxide in 2016 by the FSANZ, it was found that there is no strong evidence to support claims of significant health risks. According to the Starts At 60, even though the risk has not yet been proven four of processors and retailers in France have claimed that they will remove titanium dioxide in their products.
