The production of any food product in our time is not complete 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 nutritional supplement can often be found in the composition of many fish, meat and bakery products, sweets and white chocolate.
Brief description of titanium dioxide
E171 is an additive that is some colorless crystals that turn yellow when heated.
This chemical compound is obtained by sulfate (from ilmenite concentrate) or chloride (from titanium tetrachloride) methods.
Feature E171:
- non-toxic;
- does not dissolve in water;
- Chemical resistant;
- high whitening power;
- atmospheric and moisture resistance.
Titanium dioxide dye does not affect the taste of the product. His main task is to give him a snow-white look.
Use of titanium dioxide
This chemical compound 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, sweets.
E171 is also used for bleaching flour. The required amount of dye is added together with flour to the mass and the dough is thoroughly mixed for maximum distribution of the substance. The dosage is: 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, bacon and other delicatessen products.
Also, the above additive is used in the production of vegetable canned food to lighten shabby horseradish.
Titanium dioxide: harmful
Studies conducted by scientists about the negative impact of the above nutritional supplement confirm: E171 does not dissolve in gastric juice and is not absorbed through the intestinal wall by the body. Therefore, according to the opinion of representatives of official medicine, titanium dioxide does not adversely affect he alth.person. Based on these data, it is allowed to use the above food additive in food production (SanPin 2.3.2.1293-03).
But still, there are suggestions about the potential danger that titanium dioxide can carry. The harm of his scientists investigated as follows: tests were carried out on rats that inhaled this powder. Test results: Titanium dioxide is carcinogenic to humans and can cause cancer.
Some scientists claim that the E171 supplement is capable of destroying 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, nevertheless, experiments on it continue. Experts do not recommend exceeding the dosage of food supplement E171 (1% per day) for people with a weakened immune system.
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 the sun's 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.
Exclusively highly purified E171, with a fine structure, is used for the production of cosmetics.
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 harm he alth. Exceeding the amount of the above chemical compound can cause serious problems in the human body.
