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A possibly carcinogenic additive is present in 800 of the most prescribed drugs according to consumer magazine Kali. This substance is titanium dioxide and has the role of making the product whiter.
A food additive suspended in France since 2020
800 of the most prescribed drugs contain titanium dioxide. This is revealed in a dossier devoted to nanoparticles published in the consumer magazine Kali. “Titanium dioxide is prohibited in food because it is probably carcinogenic when ingested, definite carcinogen when inhaled”warns Christelle Pangrazzy, editor-in-chief of the title at France Info Wednesday, December 22.
This substance, also called E171, is no longer considered safe as a food additive, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in May 2021. Since January 1, 2020, the marketing of foodstuffs containing titanium dioxide has been suspended in France according to thehandles and EU states have also given the green light to ban this dye as a food additive from 2022.
Titanium dioxide contained in Spasfon, Doliprane and Imodium
But here it is, it is still used in powder form as a food coloring in certain products, in particular medicines, to whiten them and make them brighter. It is thus found in 800 often prescribed drugs including Doliprane, Spasfon, Advil, or Imodium, we learn in the review.
“Today there is a reluctance from drug manufacturers, laboratories, to modify these compositions by explaining that patients prefer to have whiter drugs”informs Christelle Pangrazzy. “But there is a paradox, why apply the precautionary principle to food and not to medicines, which are supposed to treat us but which contain potentially harmful substances” she wonders.
Kali magazine calls for better regulation of nanoparticles present in food, cosmetics and clothing. An online petition will soon be sent to the Ministry of Health and Ecological Transition.