For public health reasons, and in particular to protect children’s health, the European Parliament is calling on the European Commission to apply the precautionary principle and remove titanium dioxide (E171), a probable carcinogen, from the list of products authorised for use as a food additive in the EU.
By a large majority (443 votes in favour, 118 against and 135 abstentions), it objected on Thursday 8 October to the draft Commission regulation amending the definition and specifications of this food additive in order to continue to authorise its distribution.
This food additive, which is partially made up of nanoparticles, is used in many foodstuffs that children love - sweets, cakes, desserts, ice cream, biscuits, chocolate bars, bakery and pastry products - to give products a white colour or opacity.
MEPs point out that France banned the sale of products containing E171 in January 2020, due to the chemical’s probable carcinogenic effects and to data gaps that do not dispel any concerns (see EUROPE 12340/26).
The European EFSA agency, itself, in its latest statement on titanium dioxide, referred to the opinion of the French ANSES agency and also noted uncertainties, they argue.
Parliament recalls that, according to the European Food Additives Regulation (133/2008), an additive may only be authorised if its consumption is safe and technologically justified and if it does not mislead the consumer but rather provides a benefit.
It considers that the use of this dye does not meet any convincing need.
“This totally useless additive is still omnipresent. Our children get a daily dose“, stressed Eric Andrieu (S&D), co-author of the objection along with Michèle Rivasi (Greens/EFA), Eleonora Evi (NI), Joëlle Mélin (ID), Ljudmila Novak (EPP) and Mick Wallace (GUE).
By virtue of this objection, the Commission is required to revise its text or to withdraw its draft regulation. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)