Demand for a ban on colorant E171

The Consumers' Association and other European consumer organisations call on the European Commission to ban the use of titanium dioxide (E171) in food. Several food safety organisations have doubts about the safety of this substance.

RIVM

The substance is used as a white dye in white sweets and chewing gum. The substance consists in part of nanoparticles. These small particles can end up in the liver and other organs. The health risks are uncertain. In 2018, RIVM concluded that it cannot be excluded that the use of titanium dioxide could lead to adverse effects in the liver.

Uncertainty

The French Food Safety Institute (ANSES) also recently concluded that there is uncertainty about the safety of the substance. Therefore, as a precaution, the use of E171 will be banned from 1 January 2020.

European consumer organisations call on the European Commission to follow the French example. The Consumers' Association asks the Dutch government to support this.

Source: Dutch Consumers' Association