>
Spotlight May 2022: Nano-ghosts” – Risk assessment of submicron-sized particles in food biased towards fictional “nano”
The European Commission has issued a ban on the colorant titanium dioxide in food. Titanium dioxide, which provides a nice shine and bright white color, can potentially damage genetic material.
We chose a review article from 2022 for the May 2022 Spotlight that addresses the risk assessment of food-grade titanium dioxide (E171) and the resulting potential bias against nanoscale titanium dioxide.
The authors are not interested in avoiding a ban on the use of E171 in food. Rather, it is important that the same bias against a fictitious “nano” hazard be avoided in the future.
The E171 case illustrates how the risk assessment of manufactured particulate food additives is potentially biased toward a supposed nanoscale particle hazard.
The authors summarize that, for example, subacute studies show that oral exposure to E171 does not cause toxicity in rodents or that chronic toxicity studies show that oral exposure to E171 does not cause carcinogenicity or other long-term adverse effects in rodents, even when tested at high doses.
The objective of this review is to reassess the literature on the toxicity of titanium dioxide particles, focusing on studies that are directly relevant to the evaluation of E171.
Original Publication:
Naegeli, H. and C. Gsell (2022). „“Nano-ghosts“: Risk assessment of submicron-sized particles in food biased towards fictional „nano“. EXCLI J 21: 279-299.
Weitere Spotlights
Spotlight November 2023: Early Awareness and Action System for Advanced Materials (Early4AdMa)
Advanced materials hold immense potential to address global challenges such as environmental degradation, transformation of the energy sector, and development towards circularity. To harness their benefits while ensuring safety and sustainability, regulatory bodies, scientific communities, and industries have recognized the need for proactive approaches. The “Early4AdMa” system is a pre-regulatory risk governance tool for advanced […]
Read moreSpotlight February 2023: New sustainable and promising method to give cotton textiles an antiviral and antibacterial finish
Textiles have been the subject of research into functionalization for many years, especially also to repel bacteria and viruses. Since the development of nanotechnological processes, there have been many attempts to incorporate UV protection with nano-titanium dioxide, or to provide textiles with anti-bacterial properties with nanosilver (see cross-sectional text “Nanoparticles in Textiles”). But nanosilver has […]
Read moreSpotlight January 2022: Methods, models, mechanisms and metadata
For the new year, we are presenting no “classic” paper here, but would like to point out an editorial: Methods, Models, Mechanisms and Metadata: Introduction to the Nanotoxicology Collection at F1000 Research. This editorial introduces the F1000Research Nanotoxicology Collection, where best practices can be collected in the form of original research reports, including no-effect studies, […]
Read moreSpotlight December 2022: Fighting tumors with micro robots
When we, the DaNa team as operators of the website nanopartikel.info, write about nanobots, i.e. nanometre-sized machines, we point out that these machines belong to science fiction, may even remain a utopia – i.e. never realisable. On the significantly larger micro-scale, however, small machines are conceivable that could help in the therapy of diseases, e.g. […]
Read more