Origin
Titan dioxide is the oxide of titanium, which is a naturally occurring metal. For use in industrial production, E 171 is obtained from iron ore through a chemical process, such as rutile. The extraction of titanium dioxide from rutile is significantly more environmentally friendly than its extraction from ilmenite iron ore, since sulfuric acid is involved in the latter case, which in some countries is still carelessly disposed of. This process yields a white, crystalline solid powder that is insoluble in water. E 171 is highly stable against light, heat, and acids.
Usage
E 171 is permitted for use in food without restriction. It is primarily used to color coatings, chewing gum, and sugar-coated pills. Additionally, it serves as a white pigment in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Its use in mineral sunscreens is particularly important since titanium dioxide reflects light.
Its application is quite versatile, and the industry uses it wherever the manufacturer wants to create an appearance of a shiny and fresh-looking food product.
Risks
Titanium dioxide or E 171 is considered safe in Germany based on current data. Other countries like France view this completely differently and have banned titanium dioxide in foods since 2020.
Particularly problematic are nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, which can penetrate cells when they are under 100 nanometers. In pharmacology, this risk is known, where a threshold of 3% exists for used substances. It is somewhat unsettling that there exists a limit of up to 50% in the food industry.
More on the topic: Quarks