E171 additive is harmful. E171 - food additive, effect on the body
There are cases when additives previously considered harmless turn out to be dangerous. For example, additive E171 (titanium dioxide). It has been used for centuries, considering it absolutely safe. In the manuals about its toxicity they wrote: “Due to its insolubility, titanium dioxide is almost not absorbed and excreted from the body.” And if it is all removed, then what harm does it do?
The secret will become clear
But in recent years it has become clear that titanium dioxide, on the contrary, accumulates in the body in the form of nanoparticles and causes significant harm.
“Titanium dioxide is a substance whose production always produces a certain amount of nanoparticles,” explains the candidate of physics and mathematics. Sciences, employee of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise of the All-Russian Institute of Aviation Materials Stanislav Kondrashov. “There may be more or less of them, or you can get rid of them completely, but it takes effort.”
You can encounter such nanoparticles in a lot of products - candies (especially dragees), chewing gum, dairy products, soda, including dry mixes for their preparation, mayonnaise, processed meat, quick breakfasts and, in fact, in many white products. colors. Thus, Chinese scientists found a large number of nanoparticles in crab sticks. By an evil irony of fate, children receive especially a lot of dangerous particles - in all kinds of pills, chewing gum and soda. Italian scientists have shown in studies that children receive more nanoparticles than teenagers or adults.
“In addition to products, titanium dioxide is also used as a whitener in toothpastes, in tablet shells and capsules with medicine, in sunscreen cosmetics and some hygiene products. Studies have established that nanoparticles of this substance are absorbed by the body through the skin, lungs and partially through the digestive tract, says the famous biogerontologist, professor, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexey Moskalev. - An experiment on mice showed the potential unsafety of titanium dioxide nanoparticles for the liver, kidneys and brain, spleen, heart and lungs. When this substance was injected, the particles penetrated into all these organs, accumulated in them and caused negative effects, in particular, the release of free radicals and the development of inflammation. In addition, titanium dioxide nanoparticles disrupt the composition of intestinal microflora. A pilot (preliminary) study in patients has also recently been published, which indicates a possible increased risk of type 2 diabetes with systematic use of whitening toothpastes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer considers titanium dioxide nanoparticles to be a possible human carcinogen, and the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (all cancer umbrella organizations) classifies them as a carcinogen. It is even officially recommended to avoid sunscreen sprays and powders containing these nanoparticles, as they are easy to accidentally inhale and are absorbed through the lungs.
Over the Barriers
They also penetrate the placental barrier between mother and fetus, causing harm to the unborn child. An experiment on mice showed how nanoparticles accumulated in the cells of the intestinal mucosa, first causing inflammation and then turning into precancerous cells. It is important that this occurs when consuming not “horse doses”, but comparable to those that we get with the E171 supplement. Our scientists from the Research Institute of Biology and Biophysics in Tomsk have convincingly shown in mice how titanium dioxide nanoparticles enter the brain and destroy it.
The E171 problem needs to be solved. In some cases, the additive should be abandoned - you can sacrifice the snow-white color of the product to avoid harm. In other cases, titanium dioxide purified from nanoparticles can be used. Will the chemical companies producing the additive agree to this? This is not a question of conscience, but of money. But isn't health more valuable than business?Titanium dioxide (Titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide, titanium white, E171) - white dye.
It is the main product of the titanium industry (only about 5% of titanium ore is used for the production of pure titanium).
Pure titanium dioxide is colorless crystals (turns yellow when heated). For technical purposes it is used in a crushed state, representing a white powder. Insoluble in water and dilute mineral acids (except for hydrofluoric acid).
It is used to give cosmetics a white color and light resistance (mainly in suntan creams). The main application of titanium dioxide is sunscreen. It is considered one of the best ingredients for cutting off UV rays that cause melanoma (skin cancer).
It is also used in the production of paints and varnishes, in particular titanium white, in the production of plastics, in the production of laminated paper, in the production of rubber products, glass production (heat-resistant and optical glass), as a refractory (coating of welding electrodes and coatings of foundry molds).
According to unverified data, it can cause liver and kidney diseases (if ingested).
Titanium dioxide (food additive E171) is colorless crystals that turn yellow when heated. In industry, E171 dye is used in a crushed state in the form of a white powder. Titanium dioxide is insoluble in water. Chemical formula of additive E171: TiO 2.
There are two main industrial methods for producing titanium dioxide: the sulfate method for producing titanium dioxide from ilmenite concentrate and the chloride method for producing titanium dioxide from titanium tetrachloride. The largest exporter of titanium dioxide in the CIS is Ukraine. The main share of raw materials is produced here by two factories: Sumykhimprom OJSC and Crimean Titan CJSC. More than 85% of products are exported.
When inhaling E171 dye powder, the likelihood of cancer increases. This has been shown in studies on rats. Thus, titanium dioxide dust can also be carcinogenic to humans. In food products, the E171 additive is considered harmless, although research into its effect on the body continues.
In the food industry, titanium dioxide is used as an additive E171 - a white dye-bleach. Dye E171 is often used in the production of milk powder and quick breakfasts.
In addition, titanium dioxide is used in the production of paints and varnishes, paper, plastics and other industries.
Additive E171 is approved for use in food products in many countries of the world, including the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
As a bleaching agent, food coloring E171 Titanium dioxide is used in the industrial production of milk powder, some types of quick breakfasts, and chewing gum. It is known that this substance is also present in products such as crab sticks, where it also plays the role of a bleach. Due to the property of the dye E171 Titanium Dioxide to whiten products, many manufacturers use it in the food industry according to official permission from the authorities. Thus, the food additive E171 has been approved for use as a food coloring since 1994.
However, to a greater extent, some properties of the dye E171 Titanium dioxide are used in the industry for the production of various paints and varnishes. This substance is considered an excellent assistant in the fight against harmful sun rays, which can cause melanoma, that is, skin cancer. This quality of titanium dioxide is mainly used in the production of a variety of allergy ointments and tanning creams.
In addition, the dye E171 Titanium dioxide is also used in the manufacture of white for coating welding electrodes, as well as for bleaching rubber products and laminated paper. It also participates in the manufacturing process of optical glass, which is characterized by fire-resistant properties.
Dye composition E171 Titanium dioxide
The composition of the dye E171 Titanium dioxide is determined by the method of its production: it is produced from ilmenite concentrate using the sulfate method or from titanium tetrochloride using the chloride method. In its pure form, E171 is colorless crystals, which for technical purposes are used in a crushed state in the form of a white powder.
Titanium dioxide does not dissolve in water and mineral acids (in diluted form), with the only exception being hydrofluoric acid. That is, we can say that in terms of its chemical properties, E171 is an inert substance, which is directly related to the composition of the dye E171 Titanium dioxide. Thus, its main components are titanium dioxide and titanium white.
Harmful dye E171 Titanium dioxide
Interestingly, after conducting an experiment, Californian scientists found that there is no reason to say that the dye E171 Titanium Dioxide is harmful to human health. However, this is not entirely true. After this, a number of studies were carried out on animals, as a result of which the following fact was established. Experimental rodents drank water to which titanium dioxide powder was added for five days. As a result, it turned out that in such a short period of time, the animals experienced disturbances in the DNA chain, which manifested themselves in the deformation of chromosomes.
For a person, when small doses of this substance enter the body, there is no particular harm to the dye E171 Titanium dioxide - undesirable consequences are likely only in case of an overdose, especially for people with weakened immune systems. According to unverified data, consumption of E171 in food can provoke the occurrence of liver and kidney diseases, and inhalation of powdered titanium dioxide may lead to the development of malignant neoplasms.
The production of any food product nowadays cannot do without special additives. Indeed, with the help of these chemical compounds, the shelf life of the product is extended, its color, consistency and smell are improved. What is titanium dioxide? Recently, the above can often be found in many fish, meat and bakery products, sweets and white chocolate.
Brief Description of Titanium Dioxide
E171 is an additive that consists of some colorless crystals that turn yellow when heated.
This chemical compound is obtained by sulfate (from ilmenite concentrate) or chloride (from titanium tetrachloride) methods.
Characteristics of E171:
- non-toxic;
- does not dissolve in water;
- has chemical resistance;
- high whitening ability;
- atmospheric and moisture resistance.
Titanium dioxide dye does not affect the taste of the product. Its main task is to give it a snow-white appearance.
Applications of titanium dioxide
This is actively used in industries such as:
- production of paints and varnishes, plastics and paper;
- food industry.
Titanium dioxide is also used in cosmetics. It is added to soaps, creams, aerosols, lipsticks, various powders and shadows.
E171 in the food industry is used for the production of quick breakfasts, powdered products, powdered milk, crab sticks, mayonnaise, chewing gum, white chocolate, and candies.
E171 is also used to bleach flour. The required amount of dye is added to the mass along with flour and the dough is thoroughly mixed to maximize the distribution of the substance. The dosage is: from 100 to 200 grams per 100 kg of flour.
Titanium dioxide is also used in the meat processing industry. After all, the above chemical compound has excellent dispersibility. In addition, E171 whitens pates, lard and other delicatessen products.
Also, the above additive is used in the production of canned vegetable products to lighten grated horseradish.
Titanium dioxide: harm
Research conducted by scientists on the negative effects of the above-mentioned dietary supplement confirms: E171 does not dissolve in stomach juice and is not absorbed through the intestinal walls by the body. Therefore, according to representatives of official medicine, titanium dioxide does not have a negative effect on human health. Based on these data, it is permitted to use the above food additive in food production (SanPin 2.3.2.1293-03).
But there are still suggestions about the potential danger that titanium dioxide may pose. Scientists investigated its harm in the following way: tests were carried out on rats that inhaled this powder. Test results: titanium dioxide is carcinogenic to humans and can cause the development of cancer.
Some scientists claim that the E171 supplement can destroy the human body at the cellular level. This information is confirmed only by experiments on rodents.
Despite the assertion of representatives of official medicine that titanium dioxide is harmless, experiments on it continue. Experts do not recommend exceeding the food dosage (1% per day) for people with weakened immune systems.
Titanium dioxide in cosmetics
The above additive is used in the production of skin care products. The fact is that titanium dioxide has the following property: it reduces the negative effects of sun rays on human skin. That is, E171 is an ultraviolet filter.
Chemical neutrality is another, no less important property of this chemical compound. This means that titanium dioxide does not react with the skin and does not cause allergies.
For the production of cosmetics, exclusively highly purified E171 with a finely dispersed structure is used.
Titanium dioxide is an additive that is actively used both in the food industry and in the production of cosmetics and other products. Compliance with the dosage of E171 does not cause harm to health. Excessive amounts of the above chemical compound can cause serious problems in the human body.
The older generation remembers the natural color of condensed milk - it was far from pure white. Condensed milk of that time was yellowish, which was explained by the presence of animal fats and other natural ingredients. Since then, GOSTs and recipes have undergone significant changes; many products have become pristine white, but not because of the naturalness of the ingredients used, but as a result of the manufacturers’ tricks.
Meet: titanium dioxide, food additive E171, chemical formula – TiO?. May be referred to on labels as titanium white, titanium dioxide, titanium dioxide. This chemical product is supplied to food factories in the form of a white powder, used as a white dye or bleach. Insoluble in water, under natural conditions it reacts weakly with acids and alkalis. Currently, titanium dioxide is widely used in a number of industries, including in the manufacture of confectionery, bakery and canned fish products.
Do you buy white products? May contain titanium dioxide
Cheeses, ice cream, caramels, chewing gum, breakfast cereals and powdered milk - all of the above products contain TiO?. If you buy any food product, rest assured: 90 times out of 100, it is made with titanium dioxide.
There is no consensus yet regarding the harm or benefit of using titanium dioxide in the food industry. Surface studies carried out in Europe at the end of the last century did not reveal any negative effects on human health, as a result of which in 1997 TiO? was included in the list of approved food additives. However, there remains a group of skeptics who are convinced of the negative effects of titanium dioxide on the human body. In particular, it is assumed that systematic consumption of products with titanium dioxide has a negative effect on human genetics. Anti-Titans claim that TiO? provokes the development of cancerous tumors.
What do we know about the E171 additive?
It is reliably known that titanium nanoparticles do not enter into chemical reactions with the cells of the body, but how they interact with tissues at the physical and mechanical level remains a mystery.
Is titanium dioxide neutral or harmful in food? Today the following situation has developed: the harm has not been proven, the harmlessness has not been refuted. Research in this area continues. Robert Schiestle, a professor at the University of California, has been working in this direction for several years; His experiments on laboratory mice provide ambiguous evidence of the dangers of titanium dioxide. The researcher himself explains this effect by the fact that the smallest particles of titanium dioxide (nanoparticles) are not completely eliminated from the body, but settle and wander in it, causing mechanical damage to protein chains.
The modern buyer does not yet have the right to choose whether to purchase products with or without titanium dioxide. There are many who want to purchase food products in a natural, albeit unsightly, form, without the addition of titanium dioxide.
Persistent white pigment with index E171 is titanium dioxide. Despite the fact that it is obtained from titanium ores, it is completely inert towards the human body and is considered a safe dye with strong bleaching properties. The substance is not destroyed by any external factors, so it is widely used in the manufacture of food, medicine and cosmetics.
General characteristics and receipt
The substance titanium dioxide looks like small transparent crystals or white powder. It is tasteless and does not smell of anything. If the powder is heated, it will turn yellow. Dioxide does not dissolve in water, alcohol or vegetable oils. It is resistant to light, heating and cooling, acids and alkalis. The substance is considered inert, not absorbed into the body and does not cause any reactions in it.
Titanium dioxide is considered the most stable of the known white pigments. It does not absorb any rays from the visible incident spectrum at all.
The source of industrial production of dioxide is natural titanium-containing ores, more precisely the minerals rutile and brookite. The production of titanium dioxide is possible in two ways:
- ilmenite (titanium) slag is treated with sulfuric acid and titanium sulfate is obtained; then it is clarified, hydrolyzed, filtered, calcined;
- Titanium tetrachloride undergoes the chloride processing method, going through similar washing, clarification and purification processes.
The largest suppliers of titanium dioxide in Russia, Ukraine and the CIS countries are considered to be titanium ore processing plants in Sumy and Crimea. A significant part of their products is exported to other countries of the world.
Purpose
The advantage of titanium dioxide is that when added to foods or drinks, the substance does not change their taste or smell. At the same time, the organoleptic properties of the products (their consistency, transparency, appearance) become much more pleasant. In the food industry, titanium dioxide is intended to be a dye that gives products a white color, if this is necessary according to the technical instructions for their production.
Titanium dioxide has a very high refractive index of light. This property of reflecting the sun's rays has made it one of the most common physical filters used in sunscreens. The dioxide is designed to protect the skin from infrared and ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Effect on the human body: benefits and harms
The substance is considered inert. It is not absorbed by the intestines and does not enter into metabolic reactions, does not accumulate and is completely eliminated from the body naturally.
The use of titanium dioxide in the food industry is the safe bleaching of products that, according to technical regulations, must be white. When added to products or bleaching the shells of pharmaceuticals, the pigment does not change their taste or smell, does not affect other important properties, but only improves texture and appearance.
Another useful property of E171 is the ability to actively refract solar rays of different spectrums. It is used in sunscreen cosmetics as an effective physical photofilter that prevents sun damage to skin cells and protects against burns.
The effect of titanium dioxide on the human body has not yet been fully studied. There is an unconfirmed assumption that inhaling E171 powder increases the risk of developing cancer and worsens the functioning of the kidneys and liver. In addition, Californian scientists, in laboratory experiments, noted a possible negative effect of titanium dioxide on cellular DNA, disrupting their structure. However, all these studies require additional confirmation.
Use and application
Substance E171 is recognized as the safest and most effective bleach for products. With its help, they give a pleasant color and appetizing texture to seafood, crab meat, fish, and crab sticks. Titanium dioxide is added to chicken meat, sausages and sausages, milk powder and flour, and instant breakfasts. E171 can be found in many confectionery products - it is used for the production of icing and powdered sugar, caramel and marzipan, jam and various dragees. Chewing gum cannot be made without this white pigment.
Titanium dioxide imparts whiteness to pharmaceutical preparations, especially those produced in the form of tablets, dragees and capsules. It can be found in cosmetics intended for skin whitening. This substance is widely used in sunscreens because its particles prevent harmful solar radiation from penetrating the skin. It is added to mineral powder to give the skin radiance. The substance is found in toothpastes and some types of soap.
Among other areas of application of titanium dioxide, printing production is known - for bleaching paper, making varnishes and paints - for example, the well-known titanium white. This white pigment is used by painters. It is added to plastics, rubber, heat-resistant glass, and fire-resistant insulation for electrodes.
The dosage of titanium dioxide added to foods to give them a white color is usually about 0.1 g per kilogram of their total weight.
According to SanPin 2.3.2.1293-03 dated May 26, 2008, the dye titanium dioxide E171 is allowed to be used for the manufacture of all food products, with the exception of those whose coloring is not allowed in accordance with Appendix 3, section 3.9, and to which only certain dyes can be added in accordance with Appendix 3, section 3.10 (clause 3.11.3).
Legislation
The use of titanium dioxide as a food ingredient is regulated by Regulation (EC) No. 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16.12.2008. The substance is approved as a white pigment, which is used in accordance with technical instructions for coloring products.
In addition to the food industry, the EU countries and the USA allow the use of titanium dioxide in the manufacture of medicines in the form of dragees and capsules. In Russia, the use of this substance in the pharmaceutical industry is regulated by the order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated March 19, 1998. The use of titanium dioxide as a food additive is regulated by Sanitary Rules and Standards SanPin 2.3.2.1293-03 dated May 26, 2008.
What is titanium dioxide used for, what is its level of safety for humans, see the video below.