It's in our pizza or a package of sweets. Titanium dioxide alarm over hidden health risks

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is often found in food products such as sweets and frozen pizzas. This substance is also an ingredient in sunscreens, paints, and wallpapers. Scientists are sounding the alarm.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is synthetically produced in industrial and consumer goods. It has a very adverse effect on the body, but despite this, it has not been officially recognized worldwide as dangerous.

Due to its insoluble and non-flammable properties, it is added to sunscreens, paints, paper, and wallpapers.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows titanium dioxide for food colouring. The condition is that its amount cannot exceed 1 percent of the food.

TiO2 is added to frozen foods, cottage cheese, salad dressings, and colourful sweets in the USA. It's difficult to determine if a given product contains this substance because the American regulatory agency requires only that the packaging mention the use of an "artificial colour."

Regular consumption of food with added titanium dioxide can lead to DNA changes. Scientists are warning and explaining that TiO2 can also damage the liver and inhibit the spreading of beneficial gut bacteria. This substance can also cause problems with the reproductive system.

In Europe, titanium dioxide cannot be used in food production—the decision to ban this substance was made in 2021 and adopted by the European Commission. Despite this, it is worth being aware of the consequences that consuming products with this substance can bring, especially when travelling or shopping online.