E171: Is This Food Additive Dangerous?

E171 is a widely used food additive that colours food white. A study now proves that E171 can have a harmful effect on the intestinal flora.

What is the food additive E171?

Very few people will probably know what to call it – E171 plays a remarkable role in our lives. The additive, also known as titanium dioxide, gives a shiny white colour to more than 900 foods and is therefore widely used in industry in the form of tiny particles (nanoparticles). Among other things, E171 is found in chewing gums, sweets and toothpaste, for example. According to the results of a new study, titanium dioxide is potentially carcinogenic for humans – and has now been banned in France for this reason.

E171 is said to promote intestinal inflammation

Researchers at the University of Sydney School of Medicine were able to prove in their study on mice that titanium dioxide influences the bacteria of the intestinal flora. The titanium dioxide caused various changes. Firstly, the composition of the intestinal microbiota changed in general, and secondly, certain functions of the bacteria were impaired, which can increase the risk of developing inflammatory intestinal diseases. Thirdly, an undesirable biofilm developed – this refers to bacteria that stick together and are suspected of causing colon cancer.

Laurence Macia, immunologist and co-author of the study, concludes: “We say that use should be better regulated by food authorities. The results of the study were published in the journal “Frontiers in Nutrition”.