Skittles Banned In Other Countries, Why? What Does The Recent Lawsuit Mean? | Stardom Facts

A Californian man has filed a lawsuit against Mars, the Skittles manufacturer, saying that titanium dioxide’s usage renders the candy “unfit for human consumption.”

An inorganic chemical substance called titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is used as a white coloring ingredient in toothpaste, cosmetics, paper, pastries, and pastry design.

However, most studies find that the quantity of titanium dioxide taken through food is so small that there is no harm to human health. As a result, it is currently thought to be safe for eating.

Despite this, the previous study has found that the chemical is safe for human intake. However, titanium dioxide may cause human cancer, according to a study published on the state of New Jersey’s official website.

According to a new investigation, titanium dioxide can cause cancer if it is inhaled. People should therefore minimize their exposure to titanium dioxide at all times.

Why Are Skittles Banned In Other Countries?

Jenile Thames, a Californian, and a few other plaintiffs are suing Mars. This American multinational company makes confections, pet food, and other foods, including Skittles, for adding titanium dioxide to its candy.

It is legal in the US but illegal in Europe because of a possible link to cancer risk. On July 14, he brought legal action against Skittles at the Northern District Court of California.

The European regulators were concerned that genotoxicity could result from a buildup of titanium dioxide particles in an individual’s body.

Genotoxicity refers to a substance’s capacity to damage DNA, which has the potential to result in cancer.

Is Skittles Banned Completely In Europe?

Based on a report from the French food safety agency that suggested limiting the compound’s exposure to workers, consumers, and the environment, France announced 2019 a ban on selling food products containing titanium dioxide beginning January 1, 2020.

Following a request from the European Commission in March 2020, the European food safety authority updated its safety assessment of the food ingredient titanium dioxide on May 6, 2021.

According to a strict methodology and taking into account thousands of studies that have become available since the previous inspection by the European Food Safety Authority in 2016, including new scientific evidence and data on nanoparticles, an assessment of food additives and flavorings was conducted by an expert panel under the chairmanship of Prof.

Maged Younes of the European Food and Safety Authority. Because we could not rule out genotoxicity issues following ingestion of titanium dioxide particles, the study concluded that titanium dioxide could no longer be regarded safe as a food additive.

What Does The Recent Lawsuit Mean?

The current legal action brought against Mars last week is still in its infancy. However, it might have the same outcome as other food fraud cases almost instantly dismissed, including when a man from California tried to sue Krispy Kreme for not using real blueberries in its blueberry doughnuts.

However, as the Los Angeles Times noted, the US Food and Drug Administration has permitted the use of titanium dioxide since 1996 with the caveat that it should not be used in meals in amounts greater than 1% by weight.

However, the Food and Drug Administration recently upheld the use of titanium dioxide as a food colorant on March 29.

The lawsuit might persuade Mars to exclude titanium dioxide from the Skittles recipe. Since 2022, the substance has been prohibited in Europe due to possible cancer risks.