Latest news with #EFSA
NDTV
3 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Is Titanium Dioxide Safe? Skittles Pulls Ingredient After Health Warnings
New Delhi: Skittles, the colourful candy known for its "taste the rainbow" slogan, will no longer include titanium dioxide in its US product lineup. Mars Wrigley, the parent company of Skittles, said the ingredient was phased out by the end of 2024. Though it was never banned by US regulators, the additive has long been under scrutiny for potential health risks. What Is Titanium Dioxide? Titanium dioxide has long been used by candy manufacturers for its ability to enhance colours and give sweets a smooth, shiny, and appealing finish. In candies, titanium dioxide acts as a whitening and brightening agent. It is also used in chewing gums, mints, powdered donuts, cake decorations and even toothpaste. Its job is purely aesthetic. It makes colours pop and gives products a consistent, clean appearance. Health Concerns Associated With Titanium Dioxide The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted a comprehensive review in 2021 and concluded that titanium dioxide could no longer be considered safe as a food additive. The conclusion was based on evidence suggesting titanium dioxide particles, especially in nanoparticle form, could accumulate in the body and potentially cause DNA damage, a process known as genotoxicity. Such damage may lead to chromosomal alterations and increase the risk of cancer. Based on this, EFSA declared titanium dioxide unsafe for use in food. Animal studies also linked it to immune system damage, inflammation, and possible effects on the brain. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" based on inhalation studies in animals. As a result, the European Union banned titanium dioxide in food in 2022. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to permit titanium dioxide in foods, provided it doesn't exceed 1 per cent of the product's weight. Organisations like the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) have petitioned the FDA to ban the component in foods, citing health risks. How To Avoid Titanium Dioxide In Food Read ingredient labels: Look for "titanium dioxide" on the packaging. Sometimes it may be listed as "artificial colour", "E171," or "colour added." Go organic: Certified organic foods are not allowed to contain titanium dioxide or other artificial colours. Limit ultra-processed foods: These often contain many additives, including titanium dioxide. Choose fresh or less-processed foods when you can.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Skittles removes titanium dioxide from their products in US shortly after RFK Jr targeted the additive. What to know
Skittles will no longer be made with titanium dioxide, it has been revealed. A spokesperson for Mars Wrigley, which owns Skittles, confirmed to Fox News Digital that titanium dioxide has been removed from the company's Skittles portfolio in the United States. According to Healthline, 'titanium dioxide is a whitening ingredient in foods, cosmetics, and other products. The FDA considers it safe, but high intake could be harmful.' The change in Skittles comes shortly after the controversial additive was targeted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Make America Healthy Again Commission, chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr, released a report last week that assessed chronic diseases, particularly those that affected children. It stated that the additive is "widely used in a range of candies and sauces [and] may cause cellular and DNA damage." "Our commitment to quality is what has enabled Mars to be enjoyed by consumers for over a century, and nothing is more important than the safety of our products," the Mars Wrigley spokesperson said. "All our products are safe to enjoy and meet the high standards and applicable regulations set by food safety authorities around the world, and that's something we will never compromise on." Following a search of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) FoodData Central website, it was found that 4,362 candies contain titanium dioxide. Back in 2022, the additive was banned by the European Union after a report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) pointed to genotoxicity. "Genotoxicity refers to the ability of a chemical substance to damage DNA, the genetic material of cells," the EFSA report said. In fact, experimental animal inhalation studies carried out by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health using the additive found that the substance was a "possible carcinogenic to humans."
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Safety first when it comes to firing up the barbecue
Is there anything more joyful than the aroma of a sizzling barbecue wafting through your neighbourhood on a sunny summer's day? It's that time of year when we dust off our BBQs and cook up some summer vibes with food, family and fun. While enjoying your time outdoors, it is important to keep on top of your BBQ food safety. To help guide you through this summer season, Safefood has all you need to know to cook with confidence on the BBQ. Take a quick read through the Safe2Eat advice, a major EU-wide campaign empowering consumers with science-backed food safety information to make smarter, safer food choices. To highlight the need for safety while enjoying the BBQ weather, Ireland has launched Safe2Eat, part of a major EU-wide campaign empowering consumers with science-backed food safety information to make smarter, safer food choices. Led by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Safe2Eat has expanded from 18 to 23 countries in 2025, with Safefood representing Ireland as part of this growing European initiative. Here is a recipe for 'Citrus summer chicken' that is sure to be a hit. Just follow the preparation steps for a delicious, safe and healthy outdoor treat. Citrus summer chicken Zing up your chicken for the BBQ with this easy marinade. Marinades are a great way to introduce flavour to meats without adding a lot of extra calories. Servings 4 Preparation Time 60 mins Cooking Time 30 mins Total Time 1 hours 30 mins Course Main Ingredients 4 chicken breasts Zest and juice of 1 orange Zest and juice of ½ lime 1-inch of fresh ginger 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed 1 tablespoon of olive oil Small bunch of coriander, chopped Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Method Place the zest and juice of the orange and lime in a bowl. Peel the ginger, grate it finely and add it to the bowl along with the garlic Whisk in the olive oil and then stir in the chopped coriander and black pepper Using a large knife chop each breast in half. Add to the marinade and make sure that each portion is well coated Cover with clingfilm and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour. For a better flavour marinate the chicken overnight Cook the chicken over a hot barbeque for 25 to 30 minutes, turning it frequently and basting the meat with the marinade Barbeque meats must be cooked thoroughly to protect yourself and others from food poisoning. If you have a meat thermometer, take the chicken off the heat and insert the thermometer in the thickest part. The chicken is ready when the thermometer reaches 75 degrees. Trish Twohig, director of food safety with Safefood, says: "As someone who works year-round to promote safe food practices, I'm proud that we at Safefood are supporting Safe2Eat — a major EU-wide campaign led by the European Food Safety Authority that empowers consumers with science-backed food safety information. "Through this and beyond, we're here to help ensure your guests are in safe hands every time you serve. Below are the most common mistakes I see every year at summer BBQs, and what you can do to avoid them." Clean your BBQ before you start First things first — give your BBQ grill a good clean. Do this by scrubbing the metal rack of your BBQ with an oven cleaner or a damp brush dipped in bread soda. Always rinse with hot soapy water afterwards. Light your barbecue well in advance. If you are using a charcoal BBQ, the flames should have died down before you start cooking. Defrost frozen foods the night before If you plan on having any frozen food, make sure they are fully thawed before you start cooking. Do this by defrosting them the night before on a plate on the bottom shelf of your fridge. Keep them there until you are ready to cook. If you are on the go, keep them in a cool box until you are ready to cook. Cook your BBQ meat thoroughly BBQ foods like chicken, burgers, sausages and kebabs must be cooked thoroughly to protect yourself and others from food poisoning. You will know when your food is well cooked when it is piping hot, has no visible pink bits and the juices run clear. Using a meat thermometer will help check that meat is safe to eat. To use a meat thermometer, take your food off the heat and insert a clean thermometer probe into the thickest part of the meat or poultry, checking that the temperature reaches 75°. Make sure to clean your meat thermometer between uses with hot soapy water or a disposable disinfectant wipe. Steaks on a BBQ can be cooked to preference as harmful bacteria are on the outside only and not in the centre. Store your side dishes in the fridge If you are serving any side dishes, like salads or coleslaw, keep them in the fridge until you need them. Same goes for any sauces you plan on having. Store these foods on the top shelf of your fridge away from any raw food. Update your grilling techniques When cooking on the BBQ, turn food regularly while also moving it around on the grill. This ensures all sides are cooked evenly. When cooking, try not to cook the food too close to the coal. This will prevent charring of your food. Stay clean to avoid cross-contamination Keep your hands, utensils and surfaces clean to help avoid cross-contamination. Wash your hands regularly with hot soapy water before and after handling food. Always use different utensils, like spatulas or tongs, when handling raw and fresh food. Clean as you go by washing surfaces and chopping boards with hot soapy water. Store and use your BBQ leftovers As you start to pack up your BBQ, take leftovers inside to cool as you don't want to leave them outside in direct sunlight or where insects could get at them. Any leftovers should be covered and allow to cool completely before putting them into your fridge. Leftovers should be in the fridge within two hours of cooking and used within three days. When reheating BBQ leftovers, only do it once and until they are piping hot. If you are unsure about the safety of any leftovers, throw them out. For more information on how to BBQ safely this summer, visit
Korea Herald
21-05-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
Lumenato™ Receives EFSA Approval, Expanding Market Availability
, May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens has delivered a positive scientific opinion on Lumenato™, a standardized yellow tomato extract developed exclusively by Lycored, the global leader in natural carotenoids for food, beverage and dietary supplement products. The scientific opinion, published in the EFSA Journal, affirms the safety of Lumenato as a novel food and opens new global possibilities for brands to incorporate this unique, ingestible skincare ingredient into a variety of skin health solutions. Derived from a proprietary breed of yellow tomato, Lumenato's active components—phytoene and phytofluene—are rare, colorless carotenoids scarcely found in nature. These compounds have a unique capacity to protect the skin from UVB radiation, the most harmful type of UV exposure. Lumenato works from the inside out to build a reservoir of goodness within the body that supports the building blocks of skin health, repair and recuperation. Backed by four pre-clinical trials and three clinical trials, Lumenato has been shown to support skin structure, both boosting and protecting collagen and influencing ceramides for improved skin barrier function, elasticity, firmness, and more. 1,2 Lumenato is available at varied concentrations in powder (starch beadlets), extract (oleoresin) and liquid emulsion delivery formats, allowing for freedom of formulation in a range of applications including nutricosmetics and derm-level care. All formats contain standardized levels of skin repairing nutrients, providing consistent results with clean-label friendly and non-GMO project verified skin support. EFSA's scientific opinion allows new global brands to start planning future product formulations using Lumenato, while awaiting the EU Novel Food list update to include yellow tomato extract. Christiane Lippert, Global Product Manager, Beauty from Within Portfolio, states, "With this decision, Lumenato is now poised for broad acceptance across the EU, Switzerland, US, Canada, Australia, Korea, India and other countries for use in a variety of supplement products. Exclusively offered by Lycored, Lumenato is a remarkable innovation that helps achieve radiance and glow from the inside out and meets today's growing demands for nature-sourced plant based, clean-label beauty from within solutions." More information on Lumenato and supporting research is available at About Lycored Lycored is an international company at the forefront of discovering the beauty within by combining nature's goodness with cutting edge science to deliver a sensory journey that impacts wellbeing. Established in 1995 in Israel, Lycored is the global leader in natural carotenoids for food, beverage and dietary supplement products. For more information visit 1. Tarshish et al. 2021 2. Tarshish et al. 2023
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lumenato™ Receives EFSA Approval, Expanding Market Availability
BRANCHBURG, N.J., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens has delivered a positive scientific opinion on Lumenato™, a standardized yellow tomato extract developed exclusively by Lycored, the global leader in natural carotenoids for food, beverage and dietary supplement products. The scientific opinion, published in the EFSA Journal, affirms the safety of Lumenato as a novel food and opens new global possibilities for brands to incorporate this unique, ingestible skincare ingredient into a variety of skin health solutions. Derived from a proprietary breed of yellow tomato, Lumenato's active components—phytoene and phytofluene—are rare, colorless carotenoids scarcely found in nature. These compounds have a unique capacity to protect the skin from UVB radiation, the most harmful type of UV exposure. Lumenato works from the inside out to build a reservoir of goodness within the body that supports the building blocks of skin health, repair and recuperation. Backed by four pre-clinical trials and three clinical trials, Lumenato has been shown to support skin structure, both boosting and protecting collagen and influencing ceramides for improved skin barrier function, elasticity, firmness, and more.1,2 Lumenato is available at varied concentrations in powder (starch beadlets), extract (oleoresin) and liquid emulsion delivery formats, allowing for freedom of formulation in a range of applications including nutricosmetics and derm-level care. All formats contain standardized levels of skin repairing nutrients, providing consistent results with clean-label friendly and non-GMO project verified skin support. EFSA's scientific opinion allows new global brands to start planning future product formulations using Lumenato, while awaiting the EU Novel Food list update to include yellow tomato extract. Christiane Lippert, Global Product Manager, Beauty from Within Portfolio, states, "With this decision, Lumenato is now poised for broad acceptance across the EU, Switzerland, US, Canada, Australia, Korea, India and other countries for use in a variety of supplement products. Exclusively offered by Lycored, Lumenato is a remarkable innovation that helps achieve radiance and glow from the inside out and meets today's growing demands for nature-sourced plant based, clean-label beauty from within solutions." More information on Lumenato and supporting research is available at About Lycored Lycored is an international company at the forefront of discovering the beauty within by combining nature's goodness with cutting edge science to deliver a sensory journey that impacts wellbeing. Established in 1995 in Israel, Lycored is the global leader in natural carotenoids for food, beverage and dietary supplement products. For more information visit Contact Kim JoyceFoodMinds413-519-6301kjoyce@ 1. Tarshish et al. 2021 2. Tarshish et al. 2023 View original content: SOURCE Lycored
