Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

529. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to recent studies both in France and the United States that cast doubt over the safety of the food additive titanium dioxide, E171, in nano particle size; if he has requested the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, to re-evaluate the use of this food additive, especially in view of its use in many foods, including confectionary, eaten by young children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11498/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) isan independent statutory body which was established under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998. The Authority works under the aegis of the Department of Health.

The Authority’s key remit is the enforcement of food safety legislation which is carried out on behalf of the FSAI by a network of official agencies through the service contracts programme. The FSAI monitors and reports on these activities and seeks continuous improvement and accountability through a programme of regular audits. The Authority supports Ministers in the development of a well-functioning, robust and proportionate food regulatory framework and provides the best independent scientific advice to underpin policy and risk analysis in respect of food safety.

The use of additives in Irish food is strictly controlled by European Union (EU) legislation which requires that only authorised food additives may be used in the manufacture or preparation of foodstuffs. At European level all additives approved for use in current legislation have been evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) or previously by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF). All approvals of food additives are kept under review by the regulatory authorities as and when scientific and medical information becomes available on possible adverse effects, not previously recognised or reported.

The FSAI has advised my Department that it is aware of a number of scientific studies linking the ingestion of Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles to potentially negative health effects. The recently reported studies carried out in France and the USA raising concerns about Titanium Dioxide have been brought to the attention of the European Commission and EFSA.

Titanium Dioxide’s use as a food additive (E171) was last evaluated by EFSA in June 2016. Taking all available evidence and data into account, EFSA experts concluded that titanium dioxide in food does not indicate health concerns for consumers, though further studies were recommended to bridge any data gaps on possible effects on the reproductive system in order to enable them to set an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI).

The European Commission is currently calling for scientific and technical data needed to address issues identified by EFSA in the re-evaluation of the safety of titanium dioxide as a food additive. Once this data becomes available it will be assessed by EFSA.