Chewing gum, dietary supplements, medicines – titanium dioxide makes many products whiter. In some of them the dye is no longer allowed, they are still sold. Why?
Since August 2022, food and food supplements with the white coloring agent titanium dioxide may no longer be placed on the market. And yet it can happen that chewing gum or vitamin preparations that still contain the whitening agent end up in your shopping basket.
Why food with titanium dioxide is still being sold
This is legal, according to the North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center. At least if they are products that were manufactured according to old regulations and were on the market before August 8, 2022. They can still be sold until their sell-by date expires.
According to the consumer advice center, this can be the case with dietary supplements in particular. Because their sell-by date is often far in the future.
Still allowed in medicines and cosmetics
Background to the ban on titanium dioxide for dietary supplements and foods: It cannot be ruled out that the dye could damage genetic material. It is currently still permitted in medicinal products, as well as in cosmetics.
But how can you tell if it contains titanium dioxide? The Hamburg consumer advice center writes that it is hidden behind the designation E 171 in food. When it comes to cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, the designations CI 77891 or Titanium Dioxide provide the crucial information.
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