Food additive E171 used in sweets not safe: EU watchdog
E171 contains nanoparticles of titanium dioxide which can damage DNA SAMAA | AFP - Posted: May 7, 2021 | Last Updated: 6 hours ago SAMAA | AFP Posted: May 7, 2021 | Last Updated: 6 hours ago
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The EU s food watchdog on Thursday said that a widely-used additive, known as the artificial colouring E171 on food labels, should no longer be considered safe for consumption.
E171 contains nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, and is commonly used in consumer products. In food, it is used mainly as a whitening and brightening agent in sweets, chewing gum, white sauces and cake icing.
Updated / Thursday, 6 May 2021
14:38
E171 is used in sweets, chewing gum, white sauces and cake icing (stock image)
The EU s food watchdog has said that a widely-used additive, known as the artificial colouring E171 on food labels, should no longer be considered safe for consumption.
E171 contains nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, and is commonly used in consumer products. In food, it is used mainly as a whitening and brightening agent in sweets, chewing gum, white sauces and cake icing.
But its use in food was suspended in France last year over health fears.
The Italy-based European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said that following a review of the evidence, there was a risk that titanium dioxide nanoparticles could cause DNA damage, and no safe level for its daily intake could be established.
Genotoxicity refers to the ability of a chemical substance to damage DNA.
The EU s food watchdog said that a widely-used additive, known as the artificial colouring E171 on food labels, should no longer be considered safe for consumption.
E171 contains nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, and is commonly used in consumer products.
It is now up to the European Commission and individual EU member states to decide whether to ban the additive.
The EU s food watchdog on Thursday said that a widely-used additive, known as the artificial colouring E171 on food labels, should no longer be considered safe for consumption.
E171 contains nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, and is commonly used in consumer products. In food, it is used mainly as a whitening and brightening agent in sweets, chewing gum, white sauces and cake icing.
EU watchdog says additive used in sweets and cakes not safe
Its use in food was suspended in France last year over health fears. By Garreth MacNamee Thursday 6 May 2021, 7:59 PM May 6th 2021, 7:59 PM 43,254 Views 19 Comments
Image: Shutterstock
Image: Shutterstock
THE EU’S FOOD watchdog said that a widely-used additive, known as the artificial colouring E171 on food labels, should “no longer be considered safe” for consumption.
E171 contains nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, and is commonly used in consumer products. In food, it is used mainly as a whitening and brightening agent in sweets, chewing gum, white sauces and cake icing.