Latest news with #titaniumdioxide
The Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Mining project near the Okefenokee Swamp has stalled over a $2M permit requirement
A company that has spent years battling conservationists as it seeks a permit to mine outside the Okefenokee Swamp and its federally protected wildlife refuge needs to do just one thing before regulators make a final decision: set aside $2 million for future restoration of the mining site. Sixteen months after being notified of the requirement, Twin Pines Minerals still hasn't submitted a surety bond or equivalent financial assurance to show the Georgia Environmental Protection Division that it has access to that amount of cash or credit. That's brought an unexpected halt to a project that appeared on the cusp of winning final approval early last year. Georgia regulators issued draft permits in February 2024 despite warnings from scientists that mining so close to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge could irreparably harm a national treasure. Twin Pines of Birmingham, Alabama, has worked since 2019 to obtain permits to mine titanium dioxide, a pigment used to whiten products from paint to toothpaste, less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the southeastern boundary of the Okefenokee refuge near the Georgia-Florida line. Within days of the draft permits being approved, Georgia regulators informed Twin Pines in a letter that it needed to submit a $2 million bond, cash or letter of credit that can be used as needed to pay for restoration of the 820-acre (332-hectare) site. Regulators have finished reviewing thousands of public comments that poured in a year ago regarding the mining project in Georgia's Charlton County, said Environmental Protection Division spokeswoman Sara Lips. Now they're waiting on Twin Pines before moving forward. 'The financial assurance is the last piece of the permit package that will then get routed to our staff, up to the director, to make a final decision," Lips told The Associated Press. She said Twin Pines faces no deadline to put up the money. Twin Pines President Steve Ingle declined to comment through a company spokesman. Ingle has insisted Twin Pines can mine without harming the Okefenokee. State regulators have agreed, concluding last year that mining should have a 'minimal impact' on the refuge. The mining company's failure to set aside the $2 million after well over a year has opponents questioning whether it has the resources to mine responsibly in an ecologically sensitive area. 'When we're talking about the potential damage of this mine, it goes way beyond $2 million," said Peter Slag, an attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center. 'It's sort of an alarm bell that they probably don't have the money to do other sorts of compliance and capital investment.' The Okefenokee is the largest U.S. refuge east of the Mississippi River, covering nearly 630 square miles (1,630 square kilometers) in southeast Georgia. It is home to abundant alligators, stilt-legged wood storks and more than 400 other animal species. Scientists have warned that mining near the Okefenokee's bowl-like rim could damage the swamp's ability to hold water and increase the frequency of withering droughts. There are other signs Twin Pines may be struggling financially. Danish shipping company Lauritzen Bulkers sued Twin Pines in federal court in Colorado last October, saying it's owed $9.3 million after contracting with Twin Pines in 2022 to transport minerals to Asia. A judge paused the case in April, at the shipper's request, amid arbitration proceedings. Twin Pines' attorney in that case, Joseph Martinez, did not immediately return email messages seeking comment. In March, a second company sued Twin Pines in a California state court. M&L Commodities says Twin Pines owes it $5.6 million stemming from a 2021 contract for M&L to store minerals for the mining company. Twin Pines denies wrongdoing in legal responses filed in court.
The Guardian
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Food additive titanium dioxide likely has more toxic effects than thought, study finds
The controversial food additive titanium dioxide likely has more toxic effects than previously thought, new peer-reviewed research shows, adding to growing evidence that unregulated nanoparticles used throughout the food system present an underestimated danger to consumers. In nanoparticle form, titanium dioxide may throw off the body's endocrine system by disrupting hormonal response to food and dysregulating blood sugar levels, which can lead to diabetes, obesity and other health problems, the study found. Ultra-processed foods more broadly have this effect on 'food hormones', but there isn't a full understanding of why, and the new research may help point to an answer. 'Our research highlights the detrimental effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles as potential intestinal endocrine disruptors,' the authors wrote in the peer-reviewed study led by China's Jiaxing Nanhu University. Titanium dioxide in nanoparticle form is used in food to brighten whites or enhance colors, and may be in as many as 11,000 US products, especially candy and snack foods. Popular products like M&Ms, Beyond Meat plant-based chicken tenders and Chips Ahoy! cookies contain the substance. They're also heavily used in nonstick ceramic pans. The EU banned titanium dioxide for food use in 2022 because previous research has shown it to likely be a neurotoxin, be an immunotoxin, cause intestinal lesions and potentially damage genes. The particles can accumulate in organs and stay in the body for years. A 2022 lawsuit drew wide attention for alleging that Skittles are 'unfit for human consumption' because they contain titanium dioxide. On the heels of the study, Skittles announced it would stop using the substance, while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has maintained that it is safe. The new research compared the gut health of three groups: mice that were fed titanium dioxide nanoparticles, mice that were fed larger microparticles and mice that were fed no titanium dioxide. Mice that were fed the nanoparticles showed lower levels of several types of gut hormones that signal to the body that it is full, aid in digestion and regulate glucose. The mice that were fed the nanoparticles showed much higher levels of glucose, or blood sugar, than those that were fed microparticles. The authors also noted that 'gut hormones secreted by enteroendocrine cells play a critical role regulating energy intake and maintaining glucose' levels. The titanium dioxide nanoparticles seemed to disrupt the enteroendocrine cells' differentiation, which is part of the hormone secretion process, and reduce the cells' numbers. These issues can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance, the authors wrote. The findings are 'a really big deal because when you start messing with glucose levels – that's diabetes', said Tom Neltner, director of the non-profit Unleaded Kids, who, along with other public health groups, filed a formal petition with the FDA in 2023 that requested the agency ban the use of titanium dioxide in food. The agency is legally compelled to respond within 180 days, but so far has ignored the petition, Neltner said. The petition comes as Robert F Kennedy Jr has made reducing toxic food additives a priority. 'He's getting started so it's too soon to tell, but there's hope that we didn't have before,' Neltner said. But he added that the groups will sue if the petition continues to be ignored.
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Popular candy is forced into major recipe change after bombshell RFK Jr report linked ingredient to DNA-altering chemicals
One of the most popular candies in the country has quietly had its recipe reformulated after a blistering new health report chaired by US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. linked one of its ingredients to DNA damage and possible cancer risks. Mars Wrigley, the global confectionery giant behind Skittles has confirmed that it has removed titanium dioxide from its rainbow-colored candies in the United States. The move follows growing international scrutiny of the additive's potential health effects. '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 said in a statement. '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.' Titanium dioxide is widely used in processed foods to give a bright, opaque appearance but it has increasingly come under fire for what experts warn may be genotoxic and carcinogenic properties. The change comes in the wake of a bombshell report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission, led by RFK Jr. The report, released last Thursday, warned that titanium dioxide, among other food additives, 'may cause cellular and DNA damage' - particularly in children, who are exposed to such chemicals at higher rates through snack foods, candies, and sauces. For decades, titanium dioxide has been considered a 'safe' additive by US regulators but in 2022, the European Union banned its use entirely, citing concerns over its genotoxic effects after extensive European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviews. Now, under renewed pressure from Kennedy's commission and mounting consumer concern, it appears Mars Wrigley is taking no chances. While the company stressed that all its products 'are safe to enjoy' critics note how Mars' decision speaks volumes as the company did not announce the change publicly. There was no press release or social media campaign and instead just a quiet recipe tweak for one of the world's most recognizable candies. According to the FDA's FoodData Central, there are more than 4,300 food products currently sold in the US that contain titanium dioxide ranging from salad dressings to cookies, but candies make up a particularly high percentage. Since his appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made no secret of his intent to challenge entrenched interests in Big Food and Big Pharma. The titanium dioxide revelation appears to be one of the first major salvos in what he describes as a broader campaign to reduce exposure to environmental toxins and endocrine disruptors. The inclusion of titanium dioxide in the report sparked immediate concern due to its widespread use and prior warnings from NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), which has classified it as a 'possible carcinogen to humans' based on inhalation studies in animals. The compound, which is also used in paints, sunscreens, and cosmetics, has been the subject of dozens of peer-reviewed studies indicating potential harm to internal organs, immune response, and DNA repair mechanisms when consumed regularly in nano-sized particles. While Mars Wrigley has now altered its US Skittles recipe, thousands of other products still contain titanium dioxide, and pressure is now mounting on manufacturers and regulators to act. Some advocacy groups are calling for immediate FDA reevaluation of the additive, while others are pushing for federal labeling laws to disclose potentially genotoxic ingredients on packaging. Several food companies have already begun reformulating products in international markets to comply with the EU ban, but the US food industry has been slower to respond, citing outdated GRAS ('Generally Recognized as Safe') designations that critics say no longer reflect the latest scientific consensus. For now, American consumers may still be ingesting titanium dioxide in other sweets, sauces, and baked goods unless they read the fine print. Last month Kennedy was looking to have food petroleum based food dyes removed from sweets, cakes and other treats sold in the US - including Blue 1, Red 40, and Yellow 6. The dyes are known as petroleum based because they are often made by combining a product from petrol with another substance to create the brilliant color. Natural alternatives are available, and are already used in multiple products in Europe - including in Skittles. The dyes have been linked to multiple health problems in animal studies, including cancer and a higher risk of developing tumors. There are also concerns that the bright colors could encourage people to eat more sweet treats, leading to weight gain which is linked to a whole host of chronic diseases. It follows moves from the states, with both California and West Virginia passing laws to ban some artificial food colorings. There are at least 30 others, mostly Democrat, considering similar legislation. The FDA recently ordered that Red 3 must be removed from foods sold in the US by 2027 and medications by 2028, over concerns it can cause cancer. This dye is responsible for the bright red colors found in candies and lollipops, although there are now natural alternatives. Many states are also seeking a ban on Red 40, or Allura red - found in several popular snacks including Doritos, Skittle and Pepsi. Yellow 5 is also on the chopping block, which has been linked to potentially triggering hyperactivity in children and damage to DNA. It is also used in Doritos, juices and cookies. Similarly, Yellow 6 - found in sugary breakfast cereals like Lucky Charms - and Blue 1 - found in sweets like gummy bears - have both also been linked to hyperactivity. Studies in animals have also suggested that Blue 2 - found in sports drinks - and Green 3 - often found in salad dressings - raised the risk of tumors developing, particularly in the bladder and testes.
Fox News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Popular rainbow candy just got a major ingredient change as Skittles drops additive
A candy company has removed an ingredient from its popular and colorful rainbow candies. Skittles, owned by Mars Wrigley, will no longer be made with titanium dioxide. A spokesperson for Mars Wrigley, which is based in New Jersey, confirmed to Fox News Digital this week that the company has removed titanium dioxide from its Skittles portfolio in the United States. Titanium dioxide is an additive typically used to make food look whiter and opaque. The Make America Healthy Again Commission, chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., released a report last Thursday assessing chronic diseases, particularly those suffered by children. The report listed additives of potential concern, including titanium dioxide. It said 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 told Fox News Digital. "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." There are 4,362 candies containing titanium dioxide, according to a search of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) FoodData Central website. The European Union banned the additive in 2022 following a report by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which pointed to genotoxicity. "Genotoxicity refers to the ability of a chemical substance to damage DNA, the genetic material of cells," the EFSA report noted. Experimental animal inhalation studies with titanium dioxide by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found the substance to be a "possible carcinogenic to humans."
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Skittles-maker Mars phases out controversial colour additive
Skittles in the US are no longer being made with titanium dioxide, a colour additive that was banned in the European Union in 2022 over possible health giant Mars said it had stopped using the ingredient in its US Skittles portfolio at the end of last move follows years of criticism about the presence of titanium dioxide in the candy and comes as US President Donald Trump's elevation of Robert F Kennedy Jr to lead the Department of Health and Human Services has pushed concerns about processed foods to the front of public health debates. Mars had said in 2016 that it would stop using "all artificial colours" in its foods, citing evolving consumer preferences. Mars and other firms have disputed claims of health risks associated with consumption of titanium dioxide, a white pigment that is used in bakery products, sweets, cosmetics and other products such as is allowed in many countries, including the US, UK, Canada and New Zealand. In the US, a high-profile 2023 effort in California to ban the ingredient was defeated, but efforts in other states continue to White House's Make America Healthy Again report published earlier this month also spotlighted titanium dioxide and other food additives as a concern. Mars, which also makes M&Ms, Snickers and Kind snack bars, did not explain why it had made the decision, which was first reported by Bloomberg. The company did not respond when asked whether the change would apply to Skittles sold outside the US. "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," a spokesperson said in a statement. "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." Skittles, which have ranked among the world's most popular chewy candies, were invented in the UK. They have been made in the US since 1981. Mars' Wrigley division bought the brand in 2022, the company faced a class-action lawsuit over titanium dioxide in Skittles, which was dismissed.
