Why Ellement Excludes Titanium Dioxide: It’s Been Banned in the EU

In the world of prenatal supplements, it's essential to scrutinize the ingredients list and make informed choices about what we put into our bodies. One ingredient that Ellement purposefully excludes is Titanium Dioxide. Today, we delve into the reasons behind this exclusion, specifically focusing on the fact that Titanium Dioxide has been banned previously in Europe and people are increasingly raising questions about the safety of titanium dioxide for human consumption.

First, what is Titanium Dioxide? Titanium dioxide is a widely used additive found in various products, including cosmetics, food, and supplements. It is used as a colorant and helps provide a bright, white appearance. However, concerns have arisen regarding its safety and potential health effects.

In a statement by CSPI (The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit and consumer advocacy group that advocates for safer and healthier foods), they say, “Unlike some other chemicals used in food, titanium dioxide has no nutritive, preservative, or food safety function—its use is purely cosmetic… The prospect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles damaging DNA is concerning enough for us to recommend consumers avoid foods that have it.”

Some studies have raised questions about the safety of titanium dioxide, particularly in terms of its potential for toxicity and bioaccumulation. It has been associated with inflammatory effects and oxidative stress, raising concerns about its impact on the body when consumed over extended periods. An EU ban on titanium dioxide as a food additive emphasizes the importance of minimizing exposure to this ingredient.

The European Commission banned titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive in the EU, starting with a six-month phasing out period as of February 7, 2022, until August 7, 2022, after which a full ban would apply. Then, the EU reversed course. The ban would require pharmaceutical manufacturers to replace titanium dioxide (TiO2) in medicines, which would affect more than 90,000 authorized pharmaceuticals.

The Commission decided to act to ban Titanium Dioxide following the publication of a scientific opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which is available here. EFSA reported uncertainties concerning the safety of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and highlighted the potential of TiO2 to directly damage DNA and genetic material inside cells.

Nearly 15% of prenatal supplement brands sold in the US still contain Titanium Dioxide. This underscores the importance of checking prenatal supplement labels, and ideally opting for brands that provide only the purest prenatal quality.